Idle industrial units in Cirencester could be knocked into a healthier shape if planners agree on a conversion from a successful personal fitness franchise.

Proposing a Fitbox franchise model, Gower and Beckett Training Ltd is seeking to take on two units totalling more than 3,500 square feet in the former site of tech company ZF Group at the Querns Business Centre, which is on Whitworth Road and a brief jog from the town's Waitrose supermarket.

The units were recently offered at £2,083pcm by SPG Property Commercial Lettings in Cirencester.

Seeking a change of use to class E (a use, which can be carried out in a residential area without detriment to the amenity from noise, vibration, fumes, etc), agent Jack Spencer has told planners that the bid is for a fitness class centre.

Fitbox Cirencester would be looking to employ 2.5 full-time equivalent employees.

The applicant said the 327 square-metre premises, with parking for 15 cars, "have lain empty for some years now, so have not been fulfilling their intended purpose as an employment site that supports local jobs and businesses for some time".

If backed, Cirencester will have a franchise of the Fitbox model for training which, under the slogan of "All Effort No Ego" was first established in Brighton and emphasises group sessions ahead of individual activity.

If the centre makes its retail offer on the basis of existing Fitbox deals, headline choices are a £14 two-week trial membership, full monthly membership for an individual priced at £90 per month and options at £80 each for any couple or £70 each when entire families join. Further packages are also offered.

The applicant told planners: "The Fitbox concept allows participants to benefit from personalized training sessions that are tailored to their needs and each training session is run/overseen by experienced coaches, unlike traditional gyms where individuals are free to come and go as they please and train independently."

Proposed group sessins would last 45 minutes with a 10-15minute break in between classes to allow for changeover.

"It is envisaged that the gym will be open from Monday to Friday with group sessions in the early mornings (6am-6.45am, 7am-7.45am and 9.45am-10.30am) and evenings (5pm-5.45pm & 6.30pm-7.15pm), and more individual 1:1 tuition taking place during the day," the application notes.

On Saturdays, the gym would be open from 8am till 10.30am or group sessions, and later for 1:1 sessions, according to demand.

"The gym does not currently anticipate being open on Sundays. With the final group fitness session concluding at 7.15pm, the gym is not expected to operate after 8pm on any day," the bid added.