Westside gym in West Street Stamford has closed permanently

A family-run gym that has been in business for 26 years is closed pending liquidation.

Westside Health Club in West Street, Stamford, has a notice to customers on its door explaining that the owners have taken the ‘painful decision’ to close.

In the message, Simon Dale, company director, said: “This is deeply upsetting for us as a family.

“We haven’t arrived here easily - we’ve given our all and tried to explore every other avenue to avoid this, but in the current economic climate with unprecedented increases in fuel, energy and many other costs, meant as things stand it is no longer viable to continue.”

Simon also thanked staff and customers, past and present, for their support over the years.

Fifteen full-time and eight part-time positions have been made redundant at the gym and those employed were informed at a meeting last week.

Three other independent businesses that operate within the building are still seeing clients as usual - Vicki’s Hairdressers run by Vicki Heyden, Luscious Lox run by Jane Williams, and The Harmony Rooms run by Sadie Hainsworth.

Jane, who has rented a room at Westside for eight years and specialises in hair extensions, said she had received a letter from the health club management reassuring her that she could continue to use the premises.

Jane, who spent 16 years in the RAF including time at the airbase in Wittering, said: "It was a shock to everybody when Westside closed because it has been such a big thing in the community.

"But I'm going to keep calm and carry on."

Vicki, who has a hairdressing salon down the corridor, said she also received a letter on Friday last week informing her of the closure of the gym.

"It said we can continue to trade, so that's what we're doing," she said.

"I'm just pressing on and want people to know that we are still trading. Business goes on for all three of us."

Creditors to Westside Health Club were being contacted by insolvency specialists McTear, Williams and Wood by post on Monday (October 3), with the liquidation of Westside as a company due to happen on Monday next week (October 10).

• How do you feel about the closure of Westside? Should more be done to support small businesses facing high fuel costs? Share your views with readers by emailing smeditor@stamfordmercury.co.uk