A Sheppey martial arts group is poised to take over the former HSBC bank premises.

Jo’Li Martial Arts and Fitness Gym in Railway Road, Sheerness, has put in planning permission to convert Bank House, on the corner of Trinity Road and Sheerness Broadway, into a training complex.

Andy Carter, who runs the group with his wife Maxine, said: “We have been looking for bigger premises. There are more things we want to do but we can’t expand where we are. We hope the council will give us permission.”

He is seeking a change of use for the former bank from A2 financial and professional services to D2 assembly and leisure.

Estate agents Rule and Rule, which has been trying to rent the prominent town centre premises since HSBC pulled out two years ago in January 2016, is supporting the move.

In a letter to Mr Carter, which has been submitted to Swale council’s planners, Rule and Rule’s partner Mark Cross said: “Our clients are particularly pleased you will be able to offer the community a fantastic, family-friendly martial arts and fitness facility that would encourage families and individuals to train and keep fit.”

Rule and Rule says it has failed to attract a long-term tenant despite national, regional and local advertising.

Mr Carter, from Prince Charles Avenue, Minster, began teaching martial arts in a church hall two nights a week in 2002, and moved to Railway Road nine years ago.

He now has more than 100 members being taught every night of the week.

The club, which claims to be Sheppey’s only full-time, fully-fitted professional martial arts gym, includes award-winning cage-fighting teams.

Mr Carter plans martial arts training on the first floor and fitness and conditioning training on the ground floor by removing three internal stud walls.

He said: “When I began, running my own club was just a dream. The next stage is quite daunting.”

He added: “The last time I was in the bank was to set up my first account after leaving school. I never ever imagined I would end up trying to move in.”

To comment on the plan, reference 18/500095/FULL, visit Swale council’s website.