Plans have been submitted to reopen fitness facilities from the defunct Stafford Sports Arenas elsewhere in the town.

The former owner of the Queens Retail Park business, Nabil Jaber, has applied to the borough council to convert the former Data Centre on Newport Road into fitness suites Gym and Tonic and the Ladies’ Centre.

Mr Jaber ran Stafford Sports Arenas for 17 years before suddenly announcing its closure earlier this month, blaming high rent, business rates and bills for the move. He hopes the facilities will open in two months’ time.

In a statement, he said today: “We are very pleased to inform you that we have secured the new premises at the Hollies 120 Newport Road Stafford and all terms have been agreed.

“Consequently, we are in a position to confirm that our health and fitness centres will be relocated sometime in March 2009. This is to allow for a full refit of the new premises and completion of all outstanding legal and planning issues. Therefore, the management at Gym and Tonic and the Ladies Centre would like to reassure all members, of our full commitment to re-open our services ASAP.”

Meanwhile, a Stafford man who was one of hundreds of five-a-side footballers turfed out of the centre when it closed on January 15 is continuing in his campaign to return indoor five-a-side facilities to Stafford.

Ricky Millar, 36, is trying to get in touch with everyone else affected by the closure before petitioning council bosses. Email him on sportsarenapetition@hotmail.co.uk