HYDE will soon be home to a new gym after work started to transform a former car dealership.
What was Audi, at the junction of Stockport Road and Dowson Road, will be the next branch of PureGym, which has a facility in Ashton-under-Lyne.
Now work on the £4 million scheme, which will also include a Sainsbury’s Local store, has begun after Dransfield Properties secured planning permission from Tameside Council.
The Sainsbury’s Local will occupy about 395 square metres of the site, while PureGym will take approximately 746 square metres, including its mezzanine level.
The redevelopment will also include 72 parking spaces, EV charging bays and space for a car wash and parcel lockers.
It is hoped the businesses will be trading by June and the scheme is expected to create up to 35 permanent jobs, including retail assistants, management roles, fitness instructors and support staff – exceeding the 20 lost when the dealership closed.
The construction is also supporting local contractors.
Mark Dransfield, chairman of Dransfield Properties Ltd, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to bring a disused site back into active use and provide valuable new facilities and jobs for the local community.
“We’re pleased to be on site, delivering a high-quality development that will benefit the area and create a fantastic and convenient new local store and gym for residents.”