A health and fitness company is set to take over a town centre unit after it is vacated by a national gym brand.

Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) has confirmed it is in talks with a business about occupying the former David Lloyd building at the Lockmeadow Entertainment Centre.

The local authority posted an update on the future of the unit yesterday evening.

A message on Facebook said: “MBC is in talks with partners to deliver a health and fitness facility at Lockmeadow after David Lloyd leaves at the end of May.

“The discussions are currently commercially sensitive but it is great news for all current and future members and we look forward to sharing more details very soon.”

There has been speculation that Serco could be taking over the building.

The contractor manages and runs the facilities at Maidstone Leisure Centre by Mote Park.

Leisure group David Lloyd, which had a gym, pool and spa, has been a tenant since the complex was first opened.

In February, it announced it would permanently close at the end of this month.

At the time, the company said it was ”with deep regret” it would be closing the branch and it was “not a decision we have taken lightly”.

It urged Maidstone members to move their memberships over to the nearby Kings Hill David Lloyd club – which offers the same facilities along with a tennis court.

Hairdressing salon, The Hair and Beauty Boutique, had been operating inside the building for 11 years.

‘The discussions are currently commercially sensitive but it is great news for all current and future members...’

Owner Nicola Rose previously told KentOnline that she and her team had three months to find another place.

She said: “We have been very much been overlooked in this circumstance.

“We were devastated to find out the news and in today’s economic climate, with current rental prices and all of the failing businesses around us, we have been left trying to find a new premises in a short period of time.”

The salon has now confirmed it will moving to The Masters House in College Road and plans to reopen on Wednesday, May 17.

Maidstone council has been contacted for a comment.