A £2.5 million health and finess club in Guiseley will open its doors by the end of 2003, creating 50 jobs.

A grade two listed building on Otley Road, formerly a DIY store and builder's merchants, is being transformed into a new Cannons Health and Fitness Club.

The former Arnold Laver Builder's World site, which closed its doors last summer with the loss of 24 jobs, will also include 21 one and two-bedroom apartments being developed by Magellan Homes.

The Cannons development, which is due to open before the end of the year, has been undertaken by timber company Arnold Laver.

Paul Harrington, development director at Sheffield-based Arnold Laver, said: "We're delighted to have restored this important building in such a sympathetic way and bought new jobs to the area.

"We went to Yorkshire Bank for the funding as we have had excellent service from them over the last four years."

The project is the latest in a series to be managed for Lavers by development and investment company Chester-field-based Bolsterstone Plc.

Peter Swallow, Bolster-tone's managing director, said: "While the building no longer meets Laver's operational requirements, it rem-ains an important asset. The company recognised that potential and this conversion is the result.

"It has been a rewarding project, which with the support of Yorkshire Bank, has secured the future of an important part of Guiseley's landscape."

The building, the former Leeds City Tramway depot, was built in 1914.

It was designed by Leeds architect Sydney Kitson who was involved in a number of major commercial and dom-estic architecture projects in the area at the turn of the century.

The building has now been handed over to Cannons for the final stage of the fit-out process.

The development, which will include 20 metre swimming pool, spa, steam room and sauna, hi-tech gym, two dance studios, a treatment room, creche, lounge and bar and dedicated car parking. was given the green light by planners at the end of 2001

Residents had objected to the conversion because of fears the apartments would increase traffic congestion in the area.