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Police ordered a gym closed on the morning of a second national shutdown, after its owner promised to defy the rules and stay open.
Officers were photographed talking to the owner outside the building this morning and they sent him a ban notice ordering it to be closed.
They also fined three people, but have not yet disclosed how much they must pay.
Alex Lowndes, who runs Gainz Fitness and Strength in Bedford, said earlier this week that he was willing to accept a possible £ 10,000 fine for violating coronavirus regulations.
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Gyms are among the ‘nonessential businesses’ that have been forced to close as of today.
“Science does not support gym closings. Garden centers are
essential but gyms are not? It’s a sham, ‘he said.
“None of us have large wads of money, but this is over £ 10,000. Yes
They shut us down now, then they’ll keep shutting us down. ‘
The 32-year-old man noted that gyms can be beneficial in combating obesity
and mental health problems during the darkest winter months.
He said in a video message on Instagram: ‘Gyms are part of the solution
here, it is not part of the problem. We need to be allowed to remain open. We’re going to stay open. ‘
A Bedfordshire Police spokesperson said: ‘We received reports that a gym in Bedford was in violation of current Covid-19 regulations which went into effect today.
Officers attended Gainz Fitness and Strength and we worked with Bedford Borough Council to provide the owner with a ban notice. Three people have received fines.
“We understand that exercise is a priority for many people, but we recommend that you look for an alternative, such as exercising at home or outdoors.
“ We all have to play our part to stop the spread of the coronavirus, and unfortunately, this means that businesses, like gyms, must close.
“If you plan to come to the Gainz gym, please do not do so, as you risk being fined and those who are there will be talked to.”
Ban notices are issued by the police as a public safety measure, to prevent the continuation of activities that officials consider unsafe, and to limit the spread of Covid-19.
Anyone who considers the ban notice to be ‘unreasonable or unfair’ can write to their local police force, outlining the reasons for contesting it, within 14 days of its issue date.
After the police visit, Gainz Strength and Fitness posted on Facebook: ‘Exercising in a gym is a crime – November 2020.
“It’s incredible but it’s true. As we move into blocking 2.0 (of how many, who knows), we want to thank you for all the encouragement and discouragement received.
“Not everyone is lucky enough to experience what a gym like ours is all about.
“We will not stop campaigning for our industry to be recognized as essential.”
He stated that the gym will now operate with ‘reduced’ opening hours.
Data from the end of October shows that gyms were the sixth most common place for
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supermarkets, pubs and restaurants and schools.
But Alex, who runs two gyms with his wife Amber, 27, said he had received support after announcing his decision to remain open on the gym’s social media channels.
‘The response has been overwhelmingly positive. We have had promises with
people offering to help with a fine if that happens, ” he added.
Responding to the suggestion, you would be helping to spread
coronavirus by staying open, Alex said: ‘If you want to take that stance
you should look at schools and universities.
“You have to close everything if you’re doing a close.”
One member said on social media that he would cancel his membership as a result of the announcement.
He explained: ‘As a member of the scientific community, I cannot tolerate
this and I’ll have to give up my membership, I’m afraid.
‘I had paid for a full year and had not requested a refund or extension for
the last confinement. Very happy to support a local business, but not this
attitude.’
Others praised Alex for rejecting the blocking measures.
‘Good for him. Businesses must deal with these unnecessary
draconian measures, ‘wrote another commenter.
Metro.co.uk has contacted the gym for further feedback.
It comes as another gym in Wigan also pledged to stay open, claiming it is ‘cleaner and safer’ than any supermarket.
Majestic Gym, in Pemberton, said it would open as usual on Thursday and urged other businesses to “refuse to obey tyranny.”
In a Facebook post, the gym said: ‘I have seen the latest news from the Prime Minister and I am proud to announce that Majestic Gym will remain open and NOT closed as part of a national shutdown.
‘Please feel free to report this position to the police, the council, the Prime Minister himself.
‘Majestic Gym is cleaner and safer than any supermarket, fast food store or any other place that can stay open.
‘We do temperature tests on each person at the entrance and on the side that we reopen in July, we have had 3,500 visits and no one has failed a temperature test.
“The more companies that refuse to obey tyranny, jam the legal system and save our freedoms.”
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