Plans to convert unit into weightlifting centre

Olympic weightlifting is different to other barbell-based sports

Plans to convert an empty industrial unit into an Olympic-style weightlifting academy have been submitted.

North Tyneside Council has received an application to convert the site in Wallsend from Cube Weightlifting Academy.

The academy has produced a number of athletes who are in the national GB team and the British Weightlifting talent pathway.

Previously, it has used shared gym spaces nearby, but due to high demand the business is now looking for a permanent hub.

A Cube Weightlifting Academy spokesperson said it was trying "to develop the sport for the local area".

The currently vacant industrial unit in Wallsend

They added: "We are in the top five clubs for youth lifters with athletes in the national GB team and many on the British Weightlifting talent pathway groups.

"Our proposal will benefit the local area which many of our members are already from, by being able to offer our own safe space and to offer our services more widely to the local community.

"We are affiliated to British Weightlifting and received funding for our youth weightlifting club which targets youth from deprived areas, so we can offer sessions and equipment at less of a cost for them."

'Serve the community'

Olympic weightlifting is one of a number of different weightlifting disciplines.

It is executed faster, and requires more mobility and a greater range of motion than other barbell lifts, such as powerlifting, weight training, and strongman events.

The application is for unit 18 in the Maurice Road Industrial estate, which is a single storey red-brick building and on the same estate as Tyneside Boxing Club.

A statement from Cube Weightlifting Academy added: "We have been trading from shared gym spaces but are finding a high demand for our Olympic weightlifting services and need our own property to better serve the community."

It also stated that three other sites, two in Wallsend and one in Whitley Bay, had also been considered but were ruled out over rent prices, disabled access, or conflicts of interest.

he application, however the local authority’s highways department has recommended the project go ahead, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.