A STAR of reality TV show The Valleys is set to open Blaenau Gwent’s first “budget gym” in Tredegar.

Fitness fanatic and former champion kickboxer Aron Williams, who left the MTV show after the first series, now runs a fitness business called MisterMotiv8or and also teaches self-defence.

He put in a successful application to Blaenau Gwent council to turn the former Tesco Express store in Tredegar into a gym catering for around 1,500 members.

The gym will also include a dance studio and changing rooms and will be open seven days a week.

After three years, Mr Williams says he also wants to launch a sportswear store at the front of the gym.

Mr Williams, who started kickboxing when he was three before starring in the reality TV show when he was 19, told the Argus he will be planning a “massive opening” but cannot yet reveal when the gym will be up and running.

Tredegar-born Mr Williams, who said previously his lifestyle had changed since the Valleys, said he intends to invest in the site and provide a high quality service which will encourage footfall in the shopping centre.

Currently 27 per cent of the shopping centre is taken up with vacant units.

The new gym site, which has been vacant since March last year when Tesco closed, lies at the front of the shopping centre.

Planning officers originally recommended that the application be refused by councillors, who met in Ebbw Vale today.

They said while the gym would improve the image of the shopping centre, the proposed change of use of the unit from a shop to a gym was not in line with the area's local development plan.

The report said by changing the use of a retail shop into a gym, the purpose of the area for retail will be weakened.

But councillors decided to go against the planning officers’ recommendation and voted for the plan to go ahead.