AN OXENHOPE-based businessman's plans to develop a gym and fitness centre in Haworth have so far been thwarted by a lack of suitable premises in the village.

Andrew Bremner, managing director of Focus it Limited, is now investigating whether the former Haworth Fire Station building might be viable.

He warned that despite identifying a clear gap in the market for this kind of local amenity, he is close to giving up trying to find a property in Haworth that can accommodate it.

He said an increasing number of larger properties in the Worth Valley are being lost to potential commercial users because so many are being given permission to be converted into homes.

Mr Bremner previously owned Waterside Gym in Hebden Bridge, which he sold a month ago.

He said: "I've been looking for a building suitable to open a gym and fitness centre in Haworth for more than a year, and if the fire station is over 3,000 square foot, then it would be ideal.

"I have the funds to equip and staff the gym and pay first year rent on any lease. I could not quite stretch to buying the building though.

"It isn't cheap to fit out a gym. Just like bars and nightclubs, they are very highly regulated."

The old fire station, which is owned by West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, is up for sale and is currently being marketed by the firm Walker Singleton for "offers in the region of £275,000".

Campaigners fought hard to have the closed facility in Station Road re-opened, or at least retained for public use.

But as reported in the Keighley News, members of Haworth, Cross Roads and Stanbury Parish Council have voted against stepping in to buy the building.

The Friends of Haworth and Worth Valley Fire Station group has vowed to fight on with its campaign to try and bring a fire station back to the village.

Mr Bremner has lived in Oxenhope for five years and previously worked as a technical architect in financial services in Leeds.

His wife, Emma, runs the Rainbow Egg Company – a poultry and egg production business.

He added: "To have a fully equipped gym in the village would be very useful.

"I think it would be a great community asset, as not everyone wants to spend their days in the pub.

"But the buildings that are becoming available have already got planning permission for residential use. That adds a couple of hundred thousand pounds to the asking price.

"This is happening across the Worth Valley, and its stopping me from finding somewhere because I need a building that has enough space."

Mr Bremner said he would be interested in hearing from anyone who is aware of suitable premises for his venture. E-mail andrew.bremner@focusitlimited.co.uk or contact him on 01535 648366.