Wyvern Hall is to be transformed into a gym.

An application by Swale Community Leisure, which operates the hall in Central Avenue, Sittingbourne, on behalf of the local authority, was approved by Swale council’s planning committee on Thursday.

It will close on July 27 in readiness for its £25,000 transformation into a multi-use fitness area comprised of spinning and workout zones as well as resistance equipment designed to strengthen muscles.

Bookings will be honoured until then. After this date, customers have been offered the sports hall at Swallows as an alternative.

Those not wishing to use it have been supported in finding other appropriate venues.

Following the conversion, The Cherry suite, bar lounge, Wyvern Hall meeting rooms, projectile hall and sports hall at Swallows will be available for hire.

Catering and kitchen facilities will remain to support events and bookings.

In a statement submitted with the plans, the trust claimed the hall was under-utilised.

It said: “Our current availability of Wyvern Hall is 412 hours per month.

“The bookings and usage figures are only 26 hours per month and in percentage terms it equates to 6% of available hours (excluding the fitness and exercise classes).”

Cllr Angela Harrison (Lab) backed the proposal when it was discussed at the meeting last week.

She said: “I think we have to adapt to survive and I hope it works.

“I think it will benefit the community.”

The hall will reopen in September.