FORMER members of The Gym UK say they are angry and frustrated as they attempt to get their money back, more than two weeks after the Chippenham business closed.

The gym, which is located at Bumpers Farm, announced it would be closing at the end of June, leaving customers and other businesses located in the building out in the cold.

Jason Leake had gone to the gym for six months and paid £250 for a year’s membership days before it closed.

“When I renewed my membership they gave me free pass leaflets and said give these to your friends – there was no hint it was closing,” said the 55-year-old, who recently graduated from Bath University.

“I went round a few days later and there was a notice saying it had closed.

“It was a surprise and shock because I was kind of expecting them to contact me; gyms do close but you’d expect them to contact you.”

Posting on the gym’s website, a statement from owner Ian Davey said the closure had been prompted by ‘the actions of the landlord and their agents’, and claimed his own business had only been given a week to leave. “The Gym UK will therefore be closing this week,” his statement said.

The online statement advised people to contact the landlord’s agent with any queries. The Gazette has tried to contact both the agents named and Mr Davey since The Gym UK closed, but has received no response.

The Gazette has also been contacted by several other unhappy customers.

“It’s a lease, you usually sign a lease for a fixed term so he [Mr Davey] must have been aware it was coming up and there must have been negotiations,” added Mr Leake.

“I thought it was appalling referring us to the landlord; it’s his problem to provide premises and if he can’t he should refund people or find somewhere else.

“I don’t know the situation for the staff but I feel really sorry for them.”

Civil enforcement agents have entered the building since it closed to ‘secure the premises against unlawful occupants’, according to a notice on the door.

A Wiltshire Council spokesperson said: “We would encourage people to contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline which provides civil advice on behalf of trading standards.

“The number for people to call is 03454 040506.”