Morecambe gym to close for good

It was reported in August that the Morecambe gym would stay open after it was bought.

DW Sports, which had gyms and retail sites in Morecambe, Blackpool, Preston, Burnley, Blackburn and Wigan, appointed insolvency specialists after its income was wiped out by the protracted closure of stores and gyms during lockdown.

DW Sports, which was founded by former Wigan Athletic owner Dave Whelan, operated 73 gyms and 75 retail sites across the UK but announced plans to shut 25 of its stores.

The company's retail and leisure businesses were then sold as a going concern to SDI Fitness (DW) Limited (‘SDI’), part of Frasers Group PLC, which is a subsidiary of sports retail and leisure giant Sports Direct.

Everlast Fitness Clubs bought 45 DW Fitness Clubs out of administration in August, including the Morecambe venue.

But today they have announced that the gym will close for good, and have thanked staff and members for their support.

In an email to members, they said: "After a delayed opening due to Covid restrictions we were pleased to announce the gym was re-opening and we were looking forward to welcoming you back.

"Today, it is with great sadness that we must write to you again to advise you we have closed the club permanently as of 29th October 2020.

"Throughout the past two months, our priority has been to try to renegotiate rents with landlord, as it was immediately apparent that your Morecambe fitness club would not be sustainable without us doing so.

"The importance of the negotiation was to allow job security and provide a long term future for the club. Regrettably, we have been unsuccessful in our discussions with the landlord, which means keeping Morecambe open is no longer financially viable.

"We want to say an enormous thank you to all of our members, who have been loyal and supportive over many years. We must also thank the staff for their devotion. Healthy regards, Everlast Fitness Clubs."