A WREXHAM gym which employs nearly 30 people, and has more than 3,000 members, has suddenly closed its doors.
Members of Total Fitness, on Stansty Road, Rhosddu, turned up at the gym yesterday to find a notice saying it had closed with immediate effect.
The notice stated the closure was due to difficult trading conditions.
A spokeswoman for the company said: “In terms of the number of people employed in the Wrexham club there are 27, all of who will have the opportunity to apply for jobs elsewhere across the business. This closure will have no impact on other Total Fitness gyms, all of which are trading well.
“The health and fitness club was asked to vacate the premises after a period of difficult trading conditions, and following unsuccessful negotiations with the landlord to reduce the rent to a level at which the club could become profitable.
“We pursued numerous avenues to increase membership numbers at the club. Several attempts were also made to negotiate with the landlord to revise the rent and safeguard the future of the club.
“However, none of these efforts were successful, which meant the running of the club was no longer financially viable. We have vacated the premises with immediate effect.
“Members of the club will not find themselves out of pocket in any way. All memberships will be transferable to any other branch of Total Fitness, with the nearest being at Chester.
“Any members that have paid annually in advance for their memberships will be contacted directly by us and those that wish to arrange a full refund of any outstanding payments will be able to do so.”
The spokeswoman said any enquiries should be directed to the customer services team on 0161 440 2655.
She added the club’s membership numbers had been in decline recently but the total figure was around 3,300.
One of the gym’s customers who did not wish to be named, said: “I have been going there for five years and I visit about four times a week. It is very popular with many good facilities.
“I heard about the closure when a friend phoned me up, it is a shock. I pay each month and have been in contact with them to get a refund, which has been agreed.”
The notice at the gym said: “Total Fitness has unfortunately closed this club with immediate effect. The closure is due to difficult trading conditions and also follows unsuccessful negotiations with the landlord to reduce the rent to a level by which the club can become profitable.
“As a member at this club we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause you. Members of the Wrexham club will not find themselves out of pocket in any way. All membership will be transferable to any other branch of Total Fitness.”