Ex-boxer’s gym plan to get island fighting fit

3:50pm Thursday 28th June 2012 in Castle Point By Jacqueline McMillan

PLANS have been put forward to transform an empty high street shop into a new gym.

Budding entrepreneur Danny Morgan, 30, who lives in Hadleigh, has submitted plans to revamp the former DIY shop Fads, in Furtherwick Road, Canvey, into a new gym – two years after it closed its doors.

Mr Morgan, who boxed for Canvey Boxing Club when he was a teenager, is hoping to breathe new life into the town centre by turning the disused site into a new fitness suite, complete with a variety of weights, exercise machines and changing rooms.

The news comes weeks after the town saw the opening of a new music academy and bed store in Furtherwick Road.

He said: “I think it would be a good move for Canvey, especially since there is a lot of work going on at Waterside Leisure Centre at the moment.

“It would be a positive addition to the High Street, giving people the chance to get fit and healthy in the gym, rather than popping to the pub for a drink.

“Luckily there shouldn’t be too much work involved, just maybe give it a lick of paint, get all the gym equipment in there and it should look great.”

Previous plans to transform the two-storey shop into a nightclub, were withdrawn in February.

Venue Entertainments put forwards the proposals, which included a dance floor, outside seating area, and VIP lounge, but revoked them after Castle Point Council officers recommended them for refusal.

This was because the company had not provided a proper flood risk assessment.

Concerns were also raised about the disturbance a nightclub would cause to people living nearby.

Plans for the gym will be considered by the council’s development control committee in the next few months.

Mr Morgan said: “So far, everything seems to be going well, so hopefully the plans will be given the go-ahead.”

Comments (12)

4:00pm Thu 28 Jun 12

billericay boy says...

This was because the company had not provided a proper flood risk assessment.

Dose this mean anyone using the gym has to wear a life jacket.
This was because the company had not provided a proper flood risk assessment. Dose this mean anyone using the gym has to wear a life jacket. billericay boy

4:00pm Thu 28 Jun 12

Terry2says says...

Too many gyms now so this idea is 20 too late. But good luck and give it a go. Count the gyms from Southend to Basildon its 31
Too many gyms now so this idea is 20 too late. But good luck and give it a go. Count the gyms from Southend to Basildon its 31 Terry2says

4:20pm Thu 28 Jun 12

John T Pharro says...

Far better a gym than a wine bar.
Far better a gym than a wine bar. John T Pharro

6:07pm Thu 28 Jun 12

restless 1 says...

Anything that gets kids off the streets and helps fight the obesity epidemic is a good thing
Anything that gets kids off the streets and helps fight the obesity epidemic is a good thing restless 1

8:38pm Thu 28 Jun 12

streetboy75 says...

great idea, but will have to be cheaper then the others on the island
great idea, but will have to be cheaper then the others on the island streetboy75

8:47pm Thu 28 Jun 12

thesouthendone says...

Just nobody ask Danny were he got his money from. Scum.
Just nobody ask Danny were he got his money from. Scum. thesouthendone

12:58pm Fri 29 Jun 12

AndyBSG says...

Terry2says wrote:
Too many gyms now so this idea is 20 too late. But good luck and give it a go. Count the gyms from Southend to Basildon its 31
Not sure why you think there are too many gyms as i've been a member of pretty much every gym on the Island at some point or other and anyone who uses the two main gyms on the Island, Charfleets and Waterside, will tell you these gyms are well over subscribed.

That said, this is a terrible choice for a venue. Where are customers to this gym going to park? I assume they'll have to pay to park in the Knightswick Car Park and given that most gyms peak times are in the evening they'll then have to walk all the way round Knightswick Centre to actually get into the gym because of the early closing time of the shopping centre and no other through route.
[quote][p][bold]Terry2says[/bold] wrote: Too many gyms now so this idea is 20 too late. But good luck and give it a go. Count the gyms from Southend to Basildon its 31[/p][/quote]Not sure why you think there are too many gyms as i've been a member of pretty much every gym on the Island at some point or other and anyone who uses the two main gyms on the Island, Charfleets and Waterside, will tell you these gyms are well over subscribed. That said, this is a terrible choice for a venue. Where are customers to this gym going to park? I assume they'll have to pay to park in the Knightswick Car Park and given that most gyms peak times are in the evening they'll then have to walk all the way round Knightswick Centre to actually get into the gym because of the early closing time of the shopping centre and no other through route. AndyBSG

9:01am Sat 30 Jun 12

markyb says...

billericay boy wrote:
This was because the company had not provided a proper flood risk assessment.

Dose this mean anyone using the gym has to wear a life jacket.
actually flood risk assessment on canvey is a normal thing but is only usually brought into regulations when building habitibal properties so the flood risk should'nt really matter as the gym wont be used for living purposes..hence no jackets required!!!
[quote][p][bold]billericay boy[/bold] wrote: This was because the company had not provided a proper flood risk assessment. Dose this mean anyone using the gym has to wear a life jacket.[/p][/quote]actually flood risk assessment on canvey is a normal thing but is only usually brought into regulations when building habitibal properties so the flood risk should'nt really matter as the gym wont be used for living purposes..hence no jackets required!!! markyb

9:14am Sat 30 Jun 12

markyb says...

Terry2says wrote:
Too many gyms now so this idea is 20 too late. But good luck and give it a go. Count the gyms from Southend to Basildon its 31
Canvey actually has only three gyms and has 60,000 people living there , waterside is the council run gym which is going through refurbishment , island gym is over on the charfleets estate( which im told is in need of a refurb as well..) and there is a smaller specialist gym ( more for diet purposes) near the town centre on the site of an old doctors surgery so another one would be a great addition to what we have already..its central position makes it easily accessible to all and with the emphasis on boxing fitness i think it will have a great chance of doing well and adding to the amenities on the island which are few and far between. Good luck Danny.
[quote][p][bold]Terry2says[/bold] wrote: Too many gyms now so this idea is 20 too late. But good luck and give it a go. Count the gyms from Southend to Basildon its 31[/p][/quote]Canvey actually has only three gyms and has 60,000 people living there , waterside is the council run gym which is going through refurbishment , island gym is over on the charfleets estate( which im told is in need of a refurb as well..) and there is a smaller specialist gym ( more for diet purposes) near the town centre on the site of an old doctors surgery so another one would be a great addition to what we have already..its central position makes it easily accessible to all and with the emphasis on boxing fitness i think it will have a great chance of doing well and adding to the amenities on the island which are few and far between. Good luck Danny. markyb

9:24am Sat 30 Jun 12

markyb says...

AndyBSG wrote:
Terry2says wrote:
Too many gyms now so this idea is 20 too late. But good luck and give it a go. Count the gyms from Southend to Basildon its 31
Not sure why you think there are too many gyms as i've been a member of pretty much every gym on the Island at some point or other and anyone who uses the two main gyms on the Island, Charfleets and Waterside, will tell you these gyms are well over subscribed.

That said, this is a terrible choice for a venue. Where are customers to this gym going to park? I assume they'll have to pay to park in the Knightswick Car Park and given that most gyms peak times are in the evening they'll then have to walk all the way round Knightswick Centre to actually get into the gym because of the early closing time of the shopping centre and no other through route.
A terrible choice of venue? your having a laugh , bang in the centre of Canvey? easily accessible to all? are you forgetting the big free car park at the back of the pet shop in oak road by any chance? ( 1 minute walk) or the car park opposite the haystack pub (2 min walk) or the iceland car park ( its free now they have removed the pay and display machines) or finally the massive car park at the paddocks community centre ( 4 minute walk) which are open every minute of the day and night? there is absolutely no need to use the Knightswick pay car park .. would suggest you do your homework a bit better next time please..
[quote][p][bold]AndyBSG[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Terry2says[/bold] wrote: Too many gyms now so this idea is 20 too late. But good luck and give it a go. Count the gyms from Southend to Basildon its 31[/p][/quote]Not sure why you think there are too many gyms as i've been a member of pretty much every gym on the Island at some point or other and anyone who uses the two main gyms on the Island, Charfleets and Waterside, will tell you these gyms are well over subscribed. That said, this is a terrible choice for a venue. Where are customers to this gym going to park? I assume they'll have to pay to park in the Knightswick Car Park and given that most gyms peak times are in the evening they'll then have to walk all the way round Knightswick Centre to actually get into the gym because of the early closing time of the shopping centre and no other through route.[/p][/quote]A terrible choice of venue? your having a laugh , bang in the centre of Canvey? easily accessible to all? are you forgetting the big free car park at the back of the pet shop in oak road by any chance? ( 1 minute walk) or the car park opposite the haystack pub (2 min walk) or the iceland car park ( its free now they have removed the pay and display machines) or finally the massive car park at the paddocks community centre ( 4 minute walk) which are open every minute of the day and night? there is absolutely no need to use the Knightswick pay car park .. would suggest you do your homework a bit better next time please.. markyb

2:42pm Thu 5 Jul 12

AndyBSG says...

The car park opposite the Haystack which you have to pay for?

The Iceland Car Park which is for customers only?

The Oak Road Car Park... If I wanted to park in Oak Road then i'd use the gym in Oak Road instead of walking all the way through the Town Centre of an evening in gym clothes which will be very comfortable, especially for women, as they walk past the cackling drunks standing outside the Haystack while in skin tight lycra.
The car park opposite the Haystack which you have to pay for? The Iceland Car Park which is for customers only? The Oak Road Car Park... If I wanted to park in Oak Road then i'd use the gym in Oak Road instead of walking all the way through the Town Centre of an evening in gym clothes which will be very comfortable, especially for women, as they walk past the cackling drunks standing outside the Haystack while in skin tight lycra. AndyBSG

10:00am Sat 14 Jul 12

markyb says...

AndyBSG wrote:
The car park opposite the Haystack which you have to pay for?

The Iceland Car Park which is for customers only?

The Oak Road Car Park... If I wanted to park in Oak Road then i'd use the gym in Oak Road instead of walking all the way through the Town Centre of an evening in gym clothes which will be very comfortable, especially for women, as they walk past the cackling drunks standing outside the Haystack while in skin tight lycra.
Firstly i've never had to pay in the car park opp the haystack i think it used to be pay at a kiosk about 20 years ago. Yes, the iceland car park is supposed to be for customers only but they have removed the "pay and display" machines so anyone can park in there now.
Furthermore, re; the oak road car park , if you parked in there you would NOT have to walk "all the way through the town centre" as i think you are getting a bit mixed up as to the correct location of "Fads"..your probably thinking its the old fads which was opp the old post office in the knightswick centre but its not its actually fads' last location before it closed which was opp the bingo hall so its literally 1 or 2 mins walk from the free oak road car park to the entrance of the gym..
I also presume the reason why the new owner is going to incorperate CHANGING ROOMS is so people dont have to walk the streets in "skintight lycra" and change their attire quite comfortably in the areas provided.
Finally,we can all make excuses and be negative about these issues, and after all, the reason to go to a gym is to get fit and healthy so a 2 or 3 or even a 5 minute walk to the gym would certainly enhance the proceedure not deminish it!
[quote][p][bold]AndyBSG[/bold] wrote: The car park opposite the Haystack which you have to pay for? The Iceland Car Park which is for customers only? The Oak Road Car Park... If I wanted to park in Oak Road then i'd use the gym in Oak Road instead of walking all the way through the Town Centre of an evening in gym clothes which will be very comfortable, especially for women, as they walk past the cackling drunks standing outside the Haystack while in skin tight lycra.[/p][/quote]Firstly i've never had to pay in the car park opp the haystack i think it used to be pay at a kiosk about 20 years ago. Yes, the iceland car park is supposed to be for customers only but they have removed the "pay and display" machines so anyone can park in there now. Furthermore, re; the oak road car park , if you parked in there you would NOT have to walk "all the way through the town centre" as i think you are getting a bit mixed up as to the correct location of "Fads"..your probably thinking its the old fads which was opp the old post office in the knightswick centre but its not its actually fads' last location before it closed which was opp the bingo hall so its literally 1 or 2 mins walk from the free oak road car park to the entrance of the gym.. I also presume the reason why the new owner is going to incorperate CHANGING ROOMS is so people dont have to walk the streets in "skintight lycra" and change their attire quite comfortably in the areas provided. Finally,we can all make excuses and be negative about these issues, and after all, the reason to go to a gym is to get fit and healthy so a 2 or 3 or even a 5 minute walk to the gym would certainly enhance the proceedure not deminish it! markyb

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