A firm which runs dessert restaurants is flexing out and setting up a gym to open this summer.

Five River Group, led by Belvedere businessman, Peter Dhillon, has announced a branch of Snap Fitness will move to the unit, formerly The Original Factory Shop at Queenborough's Neats Court Retail Park.

The shop, which is next to Iceland, has been left empty since the discount department store served its last customer in September last year.

But the firm is now in the process of readying it so the gym can open in early June.

Mr Dhillon runs Five River Group with fellow directors and family members Kalveer, Gurjeet Singh and Brinderjeet Singh Gill.

As keen gym-goers, they decided to broaden the business to include the sporting brand.

They already run two branches of Kaspas dessert parlour.

Mr Dhillon said: "We decided to set up Snap Fitness because we're all keen gym-goers.

"With other gyms there's a lot of budgeting. You're also getting the extra luxury and better equipment in them.

"We wanted to open a gym that's going to survive and for it to be in a location where we'll be able to flourish as a business.

"We wanted to go into Kent and Neats Court was the nearest place to Sheerness with a retail park where these sort of places are springing up.

"It's being fitted out now. We're looking for a full opening for probably early June.

"We're looking to open a good few more."

The opening will create about 10 jobs with roles from managers to cleaners.

Mr Dhillon added: "The gym is on its way. People won't be let down, I'm sure they'll be happy about it."

At the moment the nearest Snap Fitness gym is in St Michael's Road, Sittingbourne.

When the branch opens it will join stores including B&M, Sports Direct and Poundland.

It will also be opposite Creams dessert bar, Subway sandwich shop, Starbucks, Costa Coffee, Burger King and The Five Bridges pub.

Once open, it will be available for members to use around the clock with equipment from brands such as Matrix, Octane and Escape equipment.

There will be a free weights area, functional training area and group fitness studio hosting live and virtual classes.

Read more: All the latest news from Sheerness