It is the end of the road for the Flora Sandes.

The Thornton heath Wetherspoons pub closed earlier this year, despite outrage from the community that included a petition which amassed more than 300 signatures.

On the petition's website it said: "Thanks to JD Wetherspoons we have, at the heart of busy and vibrant Thornton Heath, a meeting place which is regularly full of people from all walks of life, all cultures, all ethnic groups and all ages who can enjoy excellent food and drink at affordable prices. It is called The Flora Sandes."

But on March 28 a planning application was submitted to turn the vacant pub into a 24-hour PureGym.

The developers emphasised that because the site in Ambassador House, Brigstock Road was vacant, approval of the gym would benefit the community and provide jobs for "shift workers and those that work unsociable hours."

This point was evidently recognised by the case officer in charge of the application as, despite recognising that under normal circumstances the application would be refused, he recommended it for approval.

"However, it would appear that the upper floors and the majority of the ground floor units are vacant," the report said.

"As the current occupiers of units five and six (namely JD Whetherspoons) are set to vacate the premises very soon, the council would prefer to see the building occupied with some form of active use.

"By allowing the proposed change of use as a 24 hour gymnasium, it would bring a use with an active frontage to the district centre which would add to the viability and vitality within this designation."

The application was officially approved this week and when finished the gym will include free weights, stretch areas and studios for classes.