Twenty-four hour gym chain Anytime Fitness has announced it will open at Dover's St James retail and leisure development.

The firm, which bills itself the world's largest 24-hour gym chain, has agreed a deal at the £53 million development due to open in the first quarter of 2018.

The chain has signed a 15-year lease on a two-storey unit totalling 5,770 sq ft on the corner of Dolphin Passage.

This deal comes off the back of other recent lettings, including Superdrug which has also struck a deal to occupy the unit next to the M&S Foodhall. The 5,000 sq ft store has been taken on a 10-year lease.

It follows the release of drone pictures showing the rapid progress of the site last week.

The latest tenants take the scheme to in excess of 80% pre-let ahead of practical completion early in 2018.

It means a gym will again be provided in the area, and will continue to serve residents long after the current district council owned leisure centre is demolished and relocated to Whitfield.

St James' totals 156,915 sq ft of retail and leisure space and is anchored by Marks & Spencer and Next.

It features a six-screen Cineworld and 108-bed Travelodge, and includes two dozen shops and restaurants including Trespass, Poundland, Carphone Warehouse, Costa Coffee, Nando’s, Frankie & Benny’s and Bella Italia, as well as 445 parking spaces.

St James, Dover is being developed by Bond City and has been funded by Legal & General who committed £53.25m to acquire and fund the development last year.

HRH Retail and JLL are joint letting agents for the development.