Durham County Council has approved plans to convert the Kingdom Hall on Strangford Road in Seaham.
Andrea Tweedy-Dixon of ATD Fitness, based in the town, submitted the application to open a new fitness gym for the local community inside the building.
No alterations to the exterior of the building or wider site were proposed.
ATD Fitness is currently based out of a unit at the Seaham Grange Industrial Estate and offers personal training, group fitness, yoga, and pilates classes.
All exercise classes will primarily be conducted indoors, while some outdoor bootcamps will be scheduled with consideration for nearby residents and businesses, the applicant said.
Under conditions tabled by the local authority’s planning team, the premises shall not be open to customers outside the hours 6am-8pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 12pm on weekends.
Memberships at the gym have grown to about 300 in the six years since the Covid pandemic, when demand for classes grew. ATD Fitness rented a local barn to accommodate larger groups before moving into its current facility.
Ms Tweedy-Dixon said: “The increased interest led to a nomination for the Community Fitness Award (Newcomer). I was honoured to be shortlisted and ultimately won the award.
“Most recently, I was recognised for my contributions to the community following a post by the Seaham Town Clerk. I am proud to be receiving a certificate of recognition from the Mayor.”