Clare Haughey MSP has written to finance secretary Kate Forbes and cabinet secretary for economy, fair work and culture, Fiona Hyslop calling on support to be made available to gyms, and specifically Energie Fitness Cambuslang.
Her letter stated: “The First Minister was unable to move Scotland into Phase 4 of our lockdown restrictions as, understandably, it is not currently deemed safe to do so.
“As a result, many businesses will likely not be able to re-open until September 14 at least (subject to the virus remaining suppressed to sufficient levels).
“I appreciate that the First Minister announced that for some businesses, like gyms, the position will be revisited in three weeks, so they may be able to re-open earlier than the provided indicative date.
“However, if this wouldn’t be possible, gyms will have been closed for almost 30 weeks. For many, the only substantial income they will have received is from the Business Support Grant.
“I understand that one gym in my constituency, who unfortunately were not eligible for any grants due to their rateable value, has already announced that it will almost definitely be forced to close as they will be unable to survive until September. As a result, a number of local jobs could be lost.
“I fully appreciate that the scientific advice is that it is currently not safe to re-open gyms, therefore I am not advocating that they are allowed to re-open before it is deemed possible.
“The purpose of this email is to ask that the Scottish Government seriously considers whether it would be possible to offer financial support to businesses, like gyms, who remain unable to re-open.”
Ms Haughey told the Reformer : “Unfortunately, Covid-19 poses significant challenges in environments like gyms.
“There are serious concerns about ventilation, the transmission of the virus on equipment, and of the higher risk of transmission through aspiration and perspiration.
“I know from speaking with a staff member at the Energie Fitness gym of just how much preparation they have put in to ensure increased hygiene and physical distancing measures, so I completely sympathise with their situation.”
