A Cheltenham shopping arcade has submitted plans to transform a collection of vacant units into a 5,726 square foot leisure facility.

Ten units at Regent Arcade shopping centre in Cheltenham have remained vacant for many years despite active marketing and centre owners are now seeking alternative use for them.

Formally occupied by Mothercare, but more recently Carluccio's and Ellis and Kirkpatrick, the area set for a remodel is on the first floor opposite the customer toilets and escalators.

The application submitted to Cheltenham planners looks to adjust the fire escape route, add a new retail kiosk unit on the bridge link towards House of Fraser as well as a D2 leisure unit to be occupied by a fitness and gym operator.

The planning statement added: "The challenges facing traditional town centre retail are well documented and, to continue to prosper, town centres must change by providing a greater mix of uses and destinations.

"This proposal is the latest strategic shift within Regent Arcade to ensure that whilst A1 retail remains the principle focus it is augmented by other uses and activities which are now expected by visitors.

"A gym and fitness studio will be another non-A1 element which will attract a new tranche of customers to the shopping centre who will increase footfall and provide added business to existing retailers."

It is unclear which gym operator will take on the premises once the change of use permission has been granted.