A NEW 24-hour gym could open its doors in Headington to help ‘tackle the UK’s obesity problem’ – but only if plans are given the go-ahead by Oxford City Council.

As it is, the units above and behind Caffe Nero on London Road are sitting empty.nt.

But that could all change if national gym chain Anytime Fitness is given the green light to revamp the old educational training facility into an open-all-hours fitness centre.

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The plans have already been backed by three residents, who welcome the ‘refreshing change’ to diversify the high street.

One resident who lives on Wharton Road, said: “I have been bemoaning the lack of gym facilities in Headington, so seeing this application has brought a big smile to my face.”

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Developers behind the application said new gyms help to reduce the UK’s ‘obesity crisis’.

They wrote: “The obesity crisis in the UK has been well documented. The OECD identifies United Kingdom as one of the most obese countries in the world with up to 26.9 per cent of the population categorised as obese.

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"A proven way of reducing obesity is to increase the opportunity for people to take exercise.”

There will be eight new jobs at the chain – which has already set up in Abingdon.