THE instructors of a gym that abruptly closed have left an emotional message on Instagram describing the situation as 'shocking'.

People planning for their daily fitness fix on October 20 were left stunned when Anytime Fitness, Penarth, a gym franchise that prides itself on being open 24 hours, was shut.

The landlord left a letter on the door below a big closed sign saying the lease had been forfeited.

The directors of Anytime Fitness Penarth apologised to its members for the inconvenience but cryptically said there are two sides to the story.

Now the gym instructors, Rae Carpenter, Kurt Andrews, Liam Hatch, Craig Wilcox and James Darlington described the unexpected closure as a “shocking action”.

In a joint message on Instagram, the team said: “Thank you for all your kind messages of support since Friday's shocking action and subsequent temporary closure of the gym.

“We're working hard in the background to ensure that when we get word, we're ready to get back to working with you.

“We understand how frustrating this is for you.

“We understand how the gym and the community we have built is more than ‘just going to the gym’.

“We understand that this situation means that many of us will not only struggle with not moving our bodies as we want to, but that for those of us whose workouts play a huge part in our daily mental health care; there is an extra struggle. 

"We hear you. We get it. We are with you. And we feel the same.

“Thank you for bearing with us in such early stages of this really unfortunate situation.

“We will continue to update you as soon as we know more.”

Penarth Times: Rae Carpenter, Kurt Andrews, Liam Hatch, Craig Wilcox and James Darlington described the unexpected closure as a “shocking action”Rae Carpenter, Kurt Andrews, Liam Hatch, Craig Wilcox and James Darlington described the unexpected closure as a “shocking action” (Image: Anytime Fitness Instagram)

Penarth Times: The 24 hour gym in Penarth has closed!The 24 hour gym in Penarth has closed! (Image: Newsquest)

'Any attempt to enter the property may be a criminal offence'

Anytime Fitness, on Windsor Road, was forced to shut its doors on October 20 in what is described as a surprising closure.

On the door of the gym is a letter written by Project Three Developments saying the landlord has “re-entered” the property and as a result the lease is “forfeited”.

 

Anytime Fitness wrote on their Instagram: “Dear members, please accept our deepest apologies for this unfortunate and surprising temporary closure to our beloved gym.

"We can assure you that we are working tirelessly to get this situation resolved.

"Unfortunately, we are unable to go into detail about what has happened for legal reasons, but we can assure you there is another side to this story.

"Due to circumstances beyond our control, the gym is closed."

Penarth Times: The landlord says the lease is forfeitedThe landlord says the lease is forfeited (Image: Newsquest)

On the door of the gym is two A4 sheets of paper with the word ‘closed’ printed in big bold print and a letter from Project Three Developments, saying: “The landlord has re-entered the property in accordance with the landlord's power under clause 40 of the lease.

“The lease is forfeited and the premises has been secured.

“Any attempt to enter the property without the landlord's authority may be a criminal offence.”

We’ve contacted both Anytime Fitness and Project Three Development and will give you an update on the situation as soon as we get it.