The Leyton branch of Blockbuster could be converted into a gym if it shuts down, it has emerged.


The film and video game rental firm went into administration last week and at least 160 of its branches are due to close nationwide.


Partners at Deloitte, which has been appointed joint administrators, told the Guardian that the Leyton High Road store would remain open "for the time being", although closing down sale signs have appeared in its windows.


Now Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) has said it is considering taking over the site if the store was to close.


GLL runs all of Waltham Forest's publicly-owned leisure centres and recently reopened the Leyton Gym next door to Blockbuster following a £850,000 refurbishment.


A GLL spokesman said it could expand Leyton Gym, formerly known as Plumtree Studios, by incorporating the Blockbuster site, but said it was only an "option" at this stage.


A spokesman for Deloitte said no decision had been made on the chain's 368 stores which are not on the immediate closure list.


He added: "The joint administrators [will] continue to review the profitability of the store portfolio and announcements of further closures may be made in coming weeks."