Plans for a gym in a large empty unit at an out-of-town shopping centre have fallen through – but another fitness business could be lined up for the spot.

Negotiations are now taking place with another leisure operator interested in taking over space at the former Toys R Us store at Horsted Retail Park, near Chatham.

JD Gyms had applied to open a branch, including a swimming pool, on the site next to Rochester Airport in Maidstone Road.

And before that UFC Gyms, an American brand of MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) gyms with 24-hour access was in the running.

Home Bargains, Aldi and KFC drive-thru have all taken up space at the site.

The toy shop giant went into administration in February 2018 and the branch closed in April that year.

The building was later divided into separate units. Landowners Royal London said it had been unable to find a business which could make use of the whole site on its own, meaning subdivision of the unit was necessary.

An application for Home Bargains and UFC Gym was approved in April 2019 – Home Bargains opened but the gym never materialised.

A spokesman Royal London said last week: "It had been originally agreed with a gym operator but that letting is no longer progressing and we are in discussions with another gym operator."

Aldi opened at the site in June 2020, while KFC was built in the car park and also opened in June 2020 after being delayed by Covid restrictions.