Gym sorry over library bench 'alcoholics' claim

A firm which wants to turn an ex-library into a gym has apologised over comments suggesting a bench outside is "popular with local alcoholics" and should be removed.

Nomad wants to convert the former council building in Hoylake, Wirral.

A document lodged with Wirral Council said the use of the bench by "alcoholics" jarred with its brand.

Nomad has since said the bid, written by a "third party", did not reflect its views.

The document submitted to Wirral Council stated: "The applicants would also like to see the street trees and bench removed and relocated elsewhere.

"Their removal is not necessary to allow the change of use to take place but the popularity of the bench with local alcoholics is not a good fit with the applicants' business model."

Since the comments emerged, more than 1,400 people have signed a petition pointing out that the trees were "used to display remembrance snowflakes around Christmas" and objecting to any suggestion of removing them or the bench, which bears a dedication.

The BBC has been unable to contact the owners of the gym company, which wants planning permission to convert the Market Street site.

But in a Facebook post in response to complaints about the application, they said they "wanted to clarify that it wasn't written by us".

They said the trees were "never to be removed from the site", and that the comments about the bench went "against everything we endeavour to deliver and believe in at Nomad".

The statement said the firm wanted to "restore the bench and give it some TLC [tender loving care]".

"We really are trying to create a harmonic place that will help the community with their physical and mental wellbeing," the statement added.

Planning consultant Philip Barton, who wrote the document, told the BBC the trees and bench were never part of the planning process but were included in case any separate legal agreement might need to be reached.

In reference to the description of people using the bench as "alcoholics", he said he "could have been more judicious in the language I used".

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