BodyCraft: 'Landlord changed the locks with no notice'

Gym closed in move branded 'heavy handed' by owner

A gym in Castletown says it's engaging with lawyers after shutting its doors yesterday.

BodyCraft Fitness, in Market Square, claims the landlord of the building changed the locks and has forced its temporary closure ‘with no notice’.

In a post on Facebook the gym owner admits there is ‘some debt owing’ due to Covid-19 but says the amount has ‘greatly decreased’ and they were in negotiations for a new long-term lease.

According to the owner the lease was due to expire in two years.

Describing the landlord’s move as ‘unnecessary’ and ‘heavy handed’ they say they're hoping to have the doors reopened so the lease term can be completed.

In response, the landlord provided the following statement to Manx Radio:

"Bodycraft Fitness debt exceeds their annual rent currently. It is increasing continually and they have not paid a single payment of rent of service charge in xxxxx months. We are also receiving other bills they have not paid. Bodycraft Fitness’ debt’s all post date Covid contrary to their comments on Facebook. The tenant has had 4 months rent free as a consequence of Covid.

"At present Bodycraft Fitness are not paying any consumption bills under their service charge which means they are expecting the Landlord to fund their business and keep the lights on, which we have done until this point as they had assured us they would make payment but it is apparent they can and never could do this.

"We were informed by Bodycraft 2 weeks ago they were intending to voluntarily liquidate the business.

"Bodycraft Fitness have been given the opportunity to pay the bills and have since admitted they are not and never have been in a position to pay them despite assuring us they could.

"Our only route in these circumstances is to exercise the right of re-entry under the lease. This would prevent the consumption bills accruing and the rental levels getting out of control even further. Of course the consumption could be turned off but then the gym could not operate in any event."