Yahoo Finance The Gym Group loses a fifth of membership during lockdown
One in five members of The Gym Group cancelled their subscription during lockdown, dealing a heavy blow to the business as it prepares to reopen sites across England on July 25.
Around 178,000 customers deserted the budget fitness chain after the pandemic struck, leaving it with 692,000 still signed up across its 179 locations.
The Gym Group's members - who have an average age of 32 and typically pay £20 a month - were offered 'free freeze' with no payments taken while its branches were closed.
Direct debits will now be restarted although customers can ask for a further pause if they are not yet ready to go back.
The Gym Group will reopen 160 sites across England on July 25 after the Government set out its timetable to allow gyms and nailbars to reopen.
The majority of its sites will open 6am-10pm on weekdays and 8am-8pm on weekends. It will trial 24/7 operating hours in a handful of sites over the next few weeks, with a return to the model expected more widely over coming months.
Two of the company's sites in Leicester will not open due to local lockdown restrictions, while its Oxford Street gym will remain shut for refurbishment. The group's 13 gyms in Scotland and three in Wales will open as soon as possible after relevant local restrictions are lifted, it said.
Boss Richard Darwin said strict new measures have been put in place at its gyms to keep members and employees safe.
All staff will be required to undergo a temperature check at the start of each shift and there will be restrictions on the number of people allowed in the gym at any one time.
How social distancing measures are being implemented in gyms:
Mr Darwin said: "Opening safely is our primary concern and we have comprehensive plans in place for both our colleagues and members as we re-open our gyms.
"Together with the Government we recognise the significant benefits of exercise in improving the nation's physical and mental well-being, particularly at this time as we respond to the pandemic."
He said the company is now removing employees from furlough, and he had been encouraged by the response of members.
Around 92pc of the business's customers are keen to return to gyms, according to a survey.
