A new gym set to open later this month at Dumbarton's Artizan Shopping Centre is being hailed as "exactly what the town needs".

Énergie Fitness, run by a team of three local businessman, is hoped to bring new life into an 11,000 square foot unit which has lain vacant for a decade.

There are also hopes the state-of-the-art facility will create up to 20 jobs.

Councillors, who approved the gym plan in October, see the gym as possible catalyst for regeneration of the town centre.

The gym's arrival has been warmly welcomed by the centre's operations manager, Stewart Gilmour.

He said: “This is the first time Artizan has ever been able to bring a lifestyle offering and we are absolutely delighted to have a workout studio here.

“This is a fantastically refreshing addition to the shopping centre and it really complements our line-up.

"This is exactly what the town needs and its arrival is a wonderful start to 2019.”

Jamal Hashmi, Dani Hussain and Mani Hussain, who are are behind the venture, said the initial response from the local community has been overwhelmingly positive.

They said they are different to other gyms and health clubs and will give support every step of the way to help members in a helpful and fun environment.

Described as for all levels of fitness enthusiasts, with beginners and experienced gym-goers all welcome, the arrival of the facility has already struck a chord, with more than 500 people signing up for early membership to date.

Mr Gilmour also welcomed the fact that it will have local ownership.

He said: “With Énergie Fitness being a franchise model, rather than a chain, we have local owners and support, which means there is real community involvement and a sense of belonging.

“It’s an absolute pleasure to have Énergie Fitness joining the Artizan Shopping Centre family and we’d like to wish the team every success with us.”

As we reported in October, the gym is to be sited in two units on the north side of High Street, attached to the Artizan Centre. One unit was designed for retail use 10 years ago, but has never been occupied, while the other unit was used by Clydebank College for almost 10 years.

Énergie Fitness boasts three studios, one specifically dedicated to spin, a wide range of cardio equipment, an Olympic lifting platform, extensive free weights and a resistance training zone. For wellness, members can take advantage of the luxury steam room and sauna. And, for that extra push personal trainers will also be on hand.

The new owners confirmed to councillors the gym will directly employ six to eight staff, with around five further freelance class instructors and up to eight self-employed personal trainers.

Its opening hours will be 6am until 10pm from Monday to Friday, and 8am until 8pm at weekends and bank holidays.