AN ACROBATIC gym could be coming to Southend High Street as part of the drive to diversify and bring people back to the town centre.

Zara’s Aerial Hoop and Pole Fitness is looking to take over a previously empty retail unit at the Victoria Shopping Centre.

Echo:

Working out - it is definitely a gym with a difference!

Echo:

Hold it! - Zara’s Aerial Hoop and Pole Fitness is looking to take over a previously empty retail unit at the Victoria Shopping Centre

Owner Zara Harper, 30, has been operating since 2013 at the Laurence Industrial Estate on Eastwoodbury Lane and now she wants to expand.

The gym specialises in aerial hoops, silks, trapeze and pole fitness.

She said: “This will definitely be something different to the shops.

“There are a lot of places that are empty High Street because many businesses are moving online now but the fitness industry you can’t do online.”

She explained her classes are open for people of any fitness level.

“People can get intimidated and think they’ve got to be fit and toned but over the time I’ve owned the business it’s more accepted don’t need to be skinny and have upper body strength,” she continued.

“Everyone has to start somewhere, including me.”

The planning application is for the gym to move into a unit that has remained empty in the shopping centre for a year and if it gains planning permission it is expected to create two full-time jobs and two part-time jobs.

Councillor Kevin Robinson, who oversees business, culture and tourism in Southend, said: “The entertainment and leisure industries are uniquely placed as you can’t do them online, you physically have to do it.

“More experiential activities are coming to the high street such as escape rooms where people may go back multiple times and tell other friends about it or go as part of a work function. This application certainly sounds interesting and I’d be interested to see if it goes ahead.”

Mr Robinson was behind a major study on the future of Southend’s High Street which predicted how declining retail space will be eventually be replaced with performance spaces, comedy stores, leisure facilities and art galleries. A decision will be made by Southend Council.