Troon residents will be afforded more opportunities for rest and relaxation soon as a Tai Chi studio and acupuncture/massage treatment room will be opening in the town.

Last week (August 3), planning permission was granted for the transformation of the premises at 82 Portland Street to house the new business.

The site was most recently utilised as a gym (Troon Fitness). The previous business was not fully-licensed to operate as a leisure facility – they’d made an application to become so, but withdrew it in October last year.

No alterations have been proposed to the external fabric of the building.

Alterations will be made to the interior, mainly the second open space at the rear of the building will be partitioned to house a treatment room where acupuncture services and massages can be given.

Tai chi, also sometimes referred to as “Shadowboxing,” is an internal Chinese martial art practised for defence training, health benefits, and meditation.

Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine and a component of traditional Chinese medicine in which thin needles are inserted into the body, stimulating nerves under the skin and muscles.