"It's something the town has been crying out for", say the Isle of Wight couple hoping to bring a new gym to Ventnor.

Sophie Shove, 30, and partner Liam Leaver, 29, are the faces behind Certainty Centre.

They're aiming to open the fully functional gym at 27 Pier Street, the former home of shop Everything's All Wight, which has closed down.

Sophie told the County Press: "It's about giving the town something new and something that works for most people.

"Newport doesn't need it and we thought 'where on the Island would appreciate that'?

"I thought actually [Ventnor is] a place we know a lot of people have wanted to join gyms, but then with your monthly membership and then if you've got to get a bus [to Newport] there and back, it costs a lot."

As keen gym-goers themselves, the couple, from Newport, have always planned on opening their own.

And when the building became available, they saw it as an opportunity too good to turn down.

Sophie said: "My partner is a personal trainer and has always wanted his own gym.

"We're in the gym six, seven times a week and we've always planned on opening somewhere, admittedly not this soon.

"But the building came up and we thought why not, you know? It's in a place that does not have anything like it!"

"We want to make it so that everybody over that way can make use of it so they haven't got to drive 30 minutes each way to go somewhere else because nobody wants that."

Subject to planning permission being secured, it's hoped the gym will also include two sun beds and a therapy room, among other things.

Although no exact date has been given for its opening, Sophie and Liam are aiming for July.

Opening hours and prices are yet to be decided but, to start with at least, Sophie said the gym is not expected to be 24 hours.