The head of a boutique exercise chain today said he is in talks with lawyers to see if he can legally open his 10 London sites on July 4.
Marc Diaper, the CEO of Gymbox — which has sites in Bank, Covent Garden, Holborn and Old Street — hit out after ministers said pubs, restaurants and hairdressers could reopen a week tomorrow but indoor gym facilities must remain closed until further notice.
He said the health and fitness industry had been “overlooked”, and branded the decision “purely political” because the hospitality industry was a bigger contributor to the economy. Mr Diaper claimed there was “scientific evidence” suggesting it was safe to open gyms.
He is talking to “several major pub chains” that are not opening on July 4 to see if he can install temporary gyms and run classes in the spaces.
He said: “Pubs opening before gyms is outrageous given the huge health benefits exercise brings. There is scientific proof that gyms are safe. We would operate with reduced numbers and we have spent hundreds of thousands of pounds building our cleaning team. We have an in-built track and trace system as all our members have to sign in when they come.”
He pointed to research from the University of Oslo that found there was no evidence using gym facilities would increase the risk of infection.
Outdoor gym facilities may open in July along with pubs, restaurants and hotels. But along with nightclubs and nail salons, indoor gyms are categorised as “close proximity” venues.
Most gym brands and personal trainers had been expecting to get the green light on July 4. The chief executive of PureGym, the UK’s biggest chain, said he was “bitterly disappointed” by the delay in opening its 269 UK gyms. The brand has safely opened in Switzerland and Denmark.
