Former Telford Blockbuster store to become gym and shops
A Telford video rental store that closed nearly three years ago could be transformed into a gym and string of new shops.
The plans have been unveiled for the former Blockbuster in Rampart Way, close to Telford Central railway station, which has been empty since December 2013.
A second proposal has also been put forward to turn former Government offices, which sit over the road from the Blockbuster site, into apartments.
No major changes will be made to the outside of the Blockbuster building under the plans but some space will be used by the neighbouring Staples stationery shop.
The shops will be reorganised to provide space for a new gym and two additional retail units.
Further alterations will involve introducing new shop fronts and escape doors.
Applicants Sheet Anchor Evolve Ltd, in a report to the council, state: "Little change is proposed to the external appearance of the building except for introducing a new shop front entrance screen for the gym and amending other shop fronts.
"There are no extensions proposed to the building.
"The site access, parking arrangements and servicing are unaffected by the proposals and will remain as existing."
The site already has 75 parking spaces, including five disabled spaces, which will be kept.
But 10 new cycle racks could be added under the plans.
An application has also been submitted for a change of use, to transform Reynolds House in Ironmaster Way into apartments.
The building, which formerly housed workers for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, is set to be converted into 43 new flats. Seven people lost their jobs when Blockbuster closed as the company went into administration in November 2013.
Blockbuster had 264 stores and a 2,000-strong workforce but they all disappeared from the UK's high streets after a series of phased closures.
Telford's Blockbuster was one of the first to close on December 15, 2013.
At its peak in 2004, Blockbuster consisted of nearly 60,000 employees and over 9,000 stores and was one of the largest movie rental chains in the UK.
Both applications were put forward at the start of the month and are expected to be decided by Telford & Wrekin planning officers later this year.
Staff were moved out of Reynolds House about a year ago and moved to other offices in Telford.
The building has lain unused since that time.
