More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A gym and leisure centre has permanently shut its doors citing Covid-19 restrictions and a lack of financial support as the reasons behind its downfall.
The Park Club in Chatham's Snodhurst Bottom closed down as England entered a national lockdown.
But it has since been revealed the not-for profit leisure facility in Walderslade Road will not reopen when restrictions are lifted tomorrow.
Roger Booker, chairman of the board of trustees for The Park Club, which runs a string of leisure outfits in Oxfordshire, said: "We will not be reopening that club after the current lockdown.
"This action is a result of past and current pandemic restrictions and the continuing lack of sufficient government support.
"We are not currently aware of any other organisation that may reopen the facilities on December 2 or any time after that."
At the outset of the pandemic, the Local Government Association (LGA) warned leisure providers, both public and private, were at risk of falling between the cracks of support on offer.
In October, the government pledged to invest £100m in supporting public leisure centres through the winter months, as part of a £1bn additional support package for local councils.
UKactive, the leisure body representing commercial fitness gyms and community leisure centres, welcomed the government exemption for all facilities to reopen on December 2 regardless of what tier they are in.
But the organisation continues to push for a "tailored package of support for its recovery in 2021".
It says this should include a combination of business rate relief, VAT exemptions, and incentives that not only help to rebuild, but also encourage more people back into physical activity.
Formerly part of the Fitness First chain of gyms, the Park Club in Chatham offered a main and ladies' only gym, free-weights studio, squash court, sauna and steam rooms and other facilities. The number of job losses are not yet known.
Its closure joins a growing list of businesses that have left the Medway town in the last year.
This includes the loss of Debenhams in the High Street before the Covid-19 restrictions in January, as well as Buzz Bingo in July and GO Outdoors in August.
