A new-style gym that opened in Strood earlier this year has closed, leaving some members hundred of pounds out of pocket.

YourZone in Station Road shut over the weekend without notice to the scores of people who used the club and allegedly owing money to the franchise operator and landlord.

Much of the equipment has been removed from the ground-floor fitness studio, and estate agents from the neighbouring Dockside Property Services said they had not seen any staff for days.

It closed temporarily last month because of staff shortages.

One woman from Rochester who did not wish to be named, joined a couple of weeks ago, and has lost out on her £30 trial deposit.

She said: “There’s about eight people I know who are owed money including one woman who paid £1,800 up front for herself and her two daughters.

Kieran Hatten, marketing manager for the franchise, Elms Fitness Group, has written to members confirming it was closed for the “foreseeable future”.

He said: "When the franchise owner closed the club in July for the five days, we took an option to run it for her as we searched for a new franchisee to run and own the studio. The club was still operating as a franchisee but we had taken over the running of it to assess the situation.

"We are working with the franchise owner to make sure pro rata membership payments are refunded to the members and have refunded a large percentage of those." - Kieran Hatten

“We actively looked for a manager to run the club, and we also spoke with three interested parties that were interested in taking it on as a franchise, two of which we are still talking to.”

He said the group wanted to continue running the club but it became increasingly difficult – particularly as more than 50% of members had cancelled their direct debits.

Further problems were caused by two attempted break-ins. The second one damaged the entrance door so badly, it had to be secured using locks and chains.

Mr Hatten added: “We informed the franchisee that unfortunately we will not be continuing to run the club and that we would look for a new franchise owner to take it on.

“We are working with the franchise owner to make sure pro rata membership payments are refunded to the members and have refunded a large percentage of those.

“If we find a new franchise owner in the meantime we will make sure they honour any unused memberships as part of the deal.”

The gym franchise, which has other centres across the country but no more in Kent, specialises in small classes and intense hour-long training.