Members shocked as Ilkley gym reveals closure plan

From the Telegraph & Argus, first published Thursday 3rd Mar 2005.

STAFF and members at an Ilkley health club have been left devastated by the news that it will close down in eight days.

Some of the 1,000 plus members broke down in tears during classes at Bodies health club and spa on Regent Road as their trainers explained the position to them.

The Gazette has been told that 11 full-time and part-time members of staff will lose their jobs and some of them have been frantically trying to organise an alternative keep-fit venue in the town.

One gym member who contacted the Gazette said: "We were told it was due to close on March 11. I did a class last night and the trainer just came in and said it was closing.

"Everyone was really shocked because we have been members for a while. It is just a shock and I feel a bit cheated. It is really annoying, the short notice.

"There was no explanation but they said we would get our money back. The people who worked there were angry themselves. They were talking about setting up on their own and were asking if anyone knew of any premises they could use."

Planning permission to turn the gym into 11 three-storey apartments was granted on February 16 by a Bradford Council planning officer using delegated powers.

Wharfedale District Councillor Chris Greaves (Con) is the chairman of Keighley Area Planning Panel. He said: "It met all the policies and they seem to have done a sympathetic job to an important building. They have done the best they can to provide off street parking and there weren't many significant objections."

When planning permission was applied for at the end of last year, the owners, Anne and Craig Harrison, told planners that there had been problems running the health club business on the site in recent years with complaints about parking and adapting the building to comply with new disability access regulations."

But at the time the gym told the Gazette that the business was not planning an imminent move and the planning application was merely a `routine renewal' to keep options open for the future.

The announcement of the closure has led to criticism by the chairman of Ilkley Parish Council's planning committee.

Coun Kate Brown said: "I am surprised it is going to close so soon. It is a bit short notice and has obviously affected the staff as well as members.

"It has been a valuable amenity for young and old people. The implication was that it was not going to close immediately. One or two members of staff had been promoted recently.

They (the planning applicants) had said in a letter that they might need to

Archive Home