GYM-GOERS have been left in the cold after a gym chain owned by Sports Direct abruptly closed in one location.
Sports Direct Fitness in Salisbury closed for good on Monday, December 11 leaving members in a state of shock.
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The brand sent customers an email which read: “We are writing to inform you that regrettably Sports Direct Fitness – Salisbury will close permanently today (Monday, December 11) and will not be re-opening.
“We are really saddened to deliver this news, despite our attempts to keep the gym trading, sadly the costs to maintain the facilities has made it impossible for us to continue.”
It said that customers would receive a partial refund for their December direct debit payment which would be paid before the end of the month.
It went on: “If you hire a locker with us and need to collect your belongings, please do so this evening before 10pm.
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“Alternatively please ensure you have collected your belongings by 1pm on Tuesday, December 12 as we will no longer have access to the building.
“If you are unable to collect your belongings during these times please email [email protected] to arrange collection by no later than Sunday, December 17.”
Fraser Group, the company behind Sports Direct, has been approached for comment.
It’s understood that the Sports Direct Fitness brand is gradually being phased out while Frasers Group shifts its attention to its Everlast Gyms chain.
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The owner said that it will “continue to open new clubs under the Everlast Gyms brand”.
Reacting to the news of the Salisbury closures on Facebook, one person said: “Loved it there everyone was so friendly going to miss it.”
Another said: “I’m devastated both for me and the lovely staff, I’ve been to pretty much all of the gyms in Salisbury and Sports Direct was the only one I kept going back to, I will miss it dearly.”
“Very sad!!! I felt very comfortable here,” said a third member.
Following the closure, Sports Direct Fitness only operates three gyms in Epsom, Kings Heath and Liverpool.
Its bigger sister brand, Everlast Gymns now operates out of 55 locations and recently opened a flagship facility in Gateshead’s Metrocentre.
Why are businesses closing branches?
The cost of living crisis, stubbornly high inflation and energy costs are taking their toll on retailers.
Shoppers have been cutting back spending, while the cost of actually running a store has also increased, meaning some outlets have struggled to keep going.
Figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) this summer found the UK had lost 6,000 stores over a five-year period.
Several major brands have also collapsed and closed stores for good.
Wilko‘s fall in August marked the biggest British retail collapse since McColl’s plunged into administration in May last year.
Paperchase collapsed into administration at the end of January this year and all 106 stores closed for good.
Scottish clothing brand M&Co and wellies retailer Joules were among a host of other familiar brands that went bust in 2022.
But shoppers still have reason to be cheerful as other retailers are actually expanding this year.
The Sun recently revealed discount retailer Costco is expanding in the UK and is planning to open 14 more warehouses over the next two years.
Bonmarche is opening at least seven new stores after filing for administration in 2019, while The White Company is due to open new stores in October and November.
Once-huge bakery chain Patisserie Valerie, which also collapsed into administration and closed most of its stores, has started reopening branches, as revealed by the Sun.
Wilko shops are returning to the UK high street after the chain collapsed earlier this year.
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We also recently revealed bakeries Wenzels, Greggs, Dunkin’ Donuts and The Cornish Bakery are all in the process of expanding in the UK.
