Reps Gym in Ribbleton closed by court order after repeated Covid breaches

Reps Gym exterior — Reps Gym is located at Roman Way Industrial Estate

Reps Gym in Ribbleton has been closed by court order after repeatedly breaching Covid-19 regulations.

On Friday (5 February), the Magistrates Court granted the three-month Order along with £9,098.15 in costs, following an application by Preston City Council.

Environmental Health Officers from the council, accompanied by Lancashire Police, closed the premises overnight, making attempts to access the site illegal while the Order remains in place.

Officers place the Closure Order on Reps Gym

Closure Order on Reps Gym — The Closure Order is in place until 4 May 2021

The closure follows a number of visits to the Roman Way Industrial Estate gym by Environmental Health Officers and Lancashire Police to explain Covid restrictions, and to issue fixed penalty notices for failing to close – all of which the Council says were ignored.

Councillor Peter Moss, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Planning and Regulation at Preston City Council, said: “Following the Court’s decision, our officers have acted quickly to carry out this Closure and bar access to the premises, and we are grateful to the ongoing support of Lancashire Police in resolving this situation.

“The irresponsible behaviour to deliberately ignore Covid restrictions has posed a risk to public health and we had no choice but to pursue this resolution, after weeks of actively engaging with the business owner to help him understand the restrictions.

“While we all want gyms, restaurants, bars and every other business to be able to reopen, this remains unsafe while the pandemic continues to pose such a great risk to public health and it is important that businesses and residents continue to follow the rules until it is safe for things to return to normal.”

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: “We recognise Preston City Council’s commitment to tackling Covid rule breakers in order to protect the public. We fully support this action.”