Neighbours concerned at 24-hour gym proposal (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Neighbours concerned at Twickenham gym proposal

9:00am Thursday 6th September 2012 in News By Rachel Bishop

Neighbours of an office block in Twickenham are concerned about a fitness company’s plans to turn a unit in the building into a 24-hour gym.

Afton Fitness limited, acting for Anytime Fitness, intends to put the gym, complete with a neon sign outside, in a 557sq m unit in Regal House, in London Road.

John Milner, of St Mary’s Terrace, was concerned the gym would create noise that would disturb residents along St Mary’s Terrace and Cheltenham Avenue. 

He said this would add to the noise created by activity at the new Travelodge, which is next to Regal House. Mr Milner said: “Noise from building and maintenance works, as well as service vehicles, reverberate around the site and across our back gardens. 

“Currently, most of the noise is during normal work hours, but the proposed change of use will introduce 24/7 activity and noise to the site and will disturb us neighbours in the evenings and at weekends when the site is normally quiet.

“All the gyms I’ve been to have been very noisy because of the crashing weights, cardio machines and pumping music. They all open their windows to let the noise and sweat out at all times of year.”