A frustrated woman says she has been left out of pocket after her gym - which was shut throughout most of lockdown - closed permanently without warning.

Anna Chernova, 34, has been trying to contact the team behind TruGym in Folkestone to ask about the possibility of a refund but has yet to hear back.

Mrs Chernova paid £220 upfront for her membership on March 11, 2020 and was able to use the facilities a few times before the UK was plunged into its first lockdown less than two weeks later.

A promotion meant her membership officially started on May 1, giving her the first two months free and meaning her 12 month membership would still technically be valid.

Emails from TruGym to Mrs Chernova from March and November last year show that her membership was 'frozen' twice due to the lockdowns.

But Mrs Chernova was expecting to return to the gym this month and has now discovered it has shut down, and another gym, Tre Fitness, has taken over the building.

She says she has attempted to contact TruGym Folkestone, a franchisee of TruGym, without any luck.

A statement on its website reveals it has now gone into administration.

The statement reads: "The Folkestone club was owned and operated under a franchise agreement by Level Up Fitness Ltd.

"Unfortunately ‘Level Up Fitness Ltd T/A Trugym Folkstone’ has ceased to trade and the director has instructed Simply Corporate Limited to assist with placing the company into Creditors’ voluntary liquidation."

In the statement, people are advised to contact Simply Corporate if they are "a creditor of the company or a member that is owed money for membership paid".

Mrs Chernova feels frustrated over the lack of information she was provided by TruGym Folkestone and feels she is owed money.

She said: "I used the gym a few times in March 2020 before lockdown. And then again after it opened in the summer.

"Now, when all gyms are open, they just disappeared.

"I got no emails from them, they don't answer my emails, the telephone number is invalid. I don't know where to go now.

"I contacted TruGym head office via Facebook, but they said it is a franchise and therefore separate to them."

Mrs Chernova, a mum of one, also contacted Tre Fitness but they said they were a new business, and nothing to do with TruGym.

She adds: "Firstly I just want a reply from TruGym Folkestone. But also I think I am entitled to some money back.

"I am not the only one this has happened to."

Other gym users have taken to Facebook to say they are in a similar situation. One woman said she felt cheated and a man questioned whether he needs to cancel his membership as the gym has ceased trading.

KentOnline has attempted to contact TruGym and Simply Corporate, but has yet to hear back.

Tre Fitness, which now occupies the space in West Terrace, says it is a brand new business but will offer discounted rates to former members of TruGym if they can show their membership.

Read more: All the latest news from Folkestone