Customers of the Olympiad in Chippenham are fuming after finding the gym is to be shut for nearly a fortnight, with no refunds offered.

The gym room was closed on November 27 and will remain so until December 9, while it is redecorated, refloored and new cardiovascular and resistance equipment is installed.

Customers who have paid in advance have been told they will not get their money back.

They can use the other Places for People leisure centres in Wiltshire, but first they have to book an induction, even if they are regular users of the Olympiad.

The nearest is a 19-mile round trip to Christie Miller in Melksham, or 21.5 miles for the Activity Zone at Malmesbury.

Wiltshire Council leisure centres can also be used, the nearest being a 10-mile round trip to Springfield Leisure Centre in Corsham. 

For these, customers first need to go to the Olympiad to ask for a ‘cross site’ form.

Gym member Annabel Haywood, 35, is incensed that no reduction or apology had been offered. 

She said: “I was told, rather arrogantly, that there would be no reduction and, if I wanted to use gym facilities, I could go to Corsham.

“You can’t charge the public for a service that you are not providing.”

Nick Moran, the Places for People area manager for Wiltshire and North Somerset, said: “All of this is covered in the terms and conditions.”

He said he would not consider extending people’s membership by 13 days and members could still use all the other facilities at the Olympiad, including group workout classes, the swimming pool, sauna and jacuzzi.

Mrs Haywood said: “My Body Combat class was cancelled, so I’ll have to go to the Corsham gym. 

“I go every day and from Derry Hill that’s going to add up to a lot in petrol. If I want to go, I’m going to have to put my hand in my pocket.”

Mr Moran said: “You don’t need to pay for parking at Corsham, whereas at the Olympiad it’s a minimum of £2.

“There are eight gyms directly operated by us in Wiltshire. I really don’t feel that this is an issue.”

He said customers were informed of the temporary closure by internal signs, 30 days in advance.