Key Points
- Proposal Lodged: Plans have been submitted to Camden Council to convert vacant space above and below Kentish Town Underground station into a 24-hour gymnasium.
- Applicant Details: The application (reference 2026/3418/P) has been submitted by Places for London Limited, the commercial property arm of Transport for London (TfL).
- Operator: The proposed site will operate as Anytime Fitness Kentish Town, part of a global chain with over 5,000 locations worldwide and 180 across the UK.
- Layout Specifications: The 516-square-metre facility spans the basement, ground, and first floors, featuring a ground-floor lobby and changing facilities, first-floor cardio and weight areas, and a basement recovery suite.
- Operational Constraints: The venue will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, strictly for individuals aged 18 and over, using key fob access, daytime staffing, and remote CCTV monitoring overnight.
- Site History: The space was previously occupied by Mexican restaurant chain Wahaca, which closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and historically housed famous 1970s punk t-shirt printing company Fifth Column.
Kentish Town (North London News) August 24, 2026 – Plans have been submitted to local authorities to transform a vacant multi-storey unit situated directly above and below Kentish Town Underground station into a round-the-clock commercial gym facility.
The planning application, registered with Camden Council under the reference 2026/3418/P, seeks formal permission for the full change of use of the 516-square-metre unit to operate as a gymnasium 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The site encompasses space across the basement, ground floor, and first floor of the station complex located on Kentish Town Road.
The application has been lodged directly by Places for London Limited—the dedicated property and commercial development arm of Transport for London (TfL)—with the intent to bring the high-street premises back into active commercial use under the national franchise Anytime Fitness.
What Are the Key Layout Details and Security Measures in the Planning Documents?
According to structural drawings and planning documents submitted by Places for London Limited, the proposed 516-square-metre space will be split into distinct fitness and amenity zones across its three levels.
The ground floor layout is designed to act as the primary access point, featuring an entrance lobby, a dedicated member reception area, changing facilities, security lockers, toilets, and individual shower cubicles.
The first floor is scheduled to house the main strength and cardiovascular training equipment. Drawings show designated zones for treadmills, stair climbers, and exercise bikes alongside free weights, dumbbells, lifting racks, plate-loaded strength equipment, and kettlebells.
The basement level has been earmarked as a specialized recovery area. Floor plans indicate space for reformer Pilates beds, leg compression therapy units, and dedicated massage chairs and guns.
As detailed in the supporting planning statement lodged with Camden Council, the facility will operate strictly for adults over the age of 18. Security protocols dictate that members will enter using electronic access passes or key fobs. While staff will be present on-site during peak daytime hours, the premises will rely on comprehensive 24-hour CCTV coverage and remote monitoring response teams during unstaffed overnight shifts.
Anytime Fitness represents one of the largest fitness franchises globally, maintaining a network of more than 5,000 branches worldwide, including over 180 operational clubs within the United Kingdom.
What Is the Historical Background of the Kentish Town Station Space?
Background of the Development
The premises at Kentish Town Underground station carry a rich local history spanning both the cultural and hospitality sectors of North London.
Before falling vacant, the 516-square-metre unit was occupied by the popular Mexican street food chain Wahaca. The restaurant ceased trading at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently never reopened its doors, leaving the high-profile retail space empty for several years.
Prior to its tenure as a restaurant, the building served as a notable hub for the UK’s cultural history during the 1970s punk rock movement. The premises were home to Fifth Column, an independent screen-printing business that produced merchandise for iconic British punk and post-punk bands, including The Clash, The Jam, and The Damned. The screen printers also produced garments for major international charitable organisations such as Oxfam and Amnesty International before eventually relocating their operations to Tottenham in 2013.
The submission by Places for London Limited reflects a broader initiative by Transport for London to regenerate disused property assets across its transport network, generating long-term commercial revenue through operational leases on high-street units. As stated within the official supporting statement submitted to Camden Council, “Anytime Fitness Kentish Town is committed to contributing to and enhancing the local community.”
How Will This 24-Hour Gym Development Affect Local Residents and Commuters?
Prediction: Local Impact Analysis
If full planning permission is granted by Camden Council, the establishment of Anytime Fitness Kentish Town is poised to directly affect local residents, nighttime shift workers, and daily public transport commuters in several distinct ways.
- Increased Nighttime Footfall and Safety: The introduction of a 24-hour facility on Kentish Town Road will introduce continuous footfall and active frontage around the entrance of the Underground station. The presence of constant CCTV surveillance and external illumination associated with a round-the-clock venue could enhance natural surveillance along the high street during late-night and early-morning hours.
- Convenience for Commuters: The integration of a gym within the immediate station building offers direct transit-orientated convenience. Commuters using the Northern line or Thameslink services will have immediate access to health and fitness facilities during pre- and post-work travel windows, reducing travel time to off-site fitness centres.
- Potential Noise and Disturbance Considerations: Nearby residents living along Kentish Town Road and adjacent side streets may raise routine inquiries during the public consultation phase regarding late-night acoustic management, particularly concerning low-frequency noise from heavy weight drop zones and late-night vehicular or pedestrian arrival.
- Commercial High-Street Regeneration: Converting a long-dormant unit back into an active commercial lease will contribute to local economic vitality, transforming an empty multi-level storefront into a functional venue that services the health and wellness market in North London.
