A DARWEN businessman is taking the idea of supplementing his income to new levels.

Carl Richmond, of Dove Lane, has converted the former Regency Carpets in Bridge Street into a fitness products shop with a gym above it.

Mass Nutrition is already open but Carl is now working towards the official opening of his new fitness centre on July 25.

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The set up will include resistance machines and a free weight area, along with a shop to sell sports supplements The 32-year-old said: “We had a nutrition shop on the main road on Blackburn Road which we opened about three years ago.

“We have grown the business and we are moving to new, bigger premises.

“We are also opening a gym with two floors.

“It’s just something I live to do. I started training about 10 years ago, worked in Pro Bodies Gym in Blackburn for a while.

“There was something of an open market for the sports nutrition products in the Darwen are because there was nothing quite like it around here.”

His old shop was opened by Rishton’s Mark Felix, a regular entrant in the World’s Strongest Man competition who set a new Rolling Thunder world record at the 2012 Bodypower Expo in Birmingham with a lift of 323.5 pounds, more than 20lbs heavier than his previous world record of 301 pounds.”

And Carl is already looking at taking over a third floor and he is hoping to attract a star to the premises later this month.

He added: “The first two floors will open later this month and people will be able to try it for free and take homes free samples.

“But we will hopefully be having some personal training soon when we will get the top floor started.

“It’s good for the area. It’s been vacant for quite a now so it should make this end of town busier.

“People are already interested in what’s going on, having a look through the windows.”

Lib Dem Cllr John East says any businesses moving into vacant units improves the look of its main thoroughfares.

He said: “Anything that regenerates Darwen town centre must be welcomed.

“And it’s great to have something a bit more original than more takeaways and charity shops.”