A Ripon gym that opened nearly 40 years ago has closed permanently following a dispute between the gym owner and landlord.
Intrim 24/7 opened in 1984 and was one of the longest running gyms in the Harrogate district.
It was based above discount store Yorkshire Trading Company, on Queen Street.
A notice on the building says the premises have been repossessed by the landlord due to non-payment of rent.
The gym closed its doors in June 2021 but Phillip McKay, who has owned the business since 2003, told the Stray Ferret he had hoped to re-open.
But Mr McKay said he has now been given until the end of the month to remove his equipment and has given up on hope of returning.
Intrim was based above Yorkshire Trading Company.
He said the gym initially closed following structural problems and there had been a subsequent disagreement over who was responsible for repairs. He added:
“My business has traded in Ripon for more than 38 years and I have run it for the last 20 years. It’s an important part of the community.
“It’s been an absolute nightmare. The members have lost memberships and there has been a lot of bad feeling about that.”
Phllip McKay with his son inside Intrim.
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Mr McKay has been driving a HGV for the past year while his business has been closed.
He plans to store his equipment until he can find new premises, but added he might be forced to sell it if the right property doesn’t become available.
He said:
“After covid we were doing really well and come June 24 last year, it was just gone. It has been a nightmare.
“Hopefully we will get the equipment moved and find another premises. I just don’t know what’s around the corner.”
The notice placed on the Ripon gym.
A notice on the gym says it was repossessed on June 28 for non-payment of rent.
Mark Johnson, operations and compliance manager at Yorkshire Trading Company, confirmed the landlord, Nicholls Property Partnership, had repossessed the property.
He added:
“The lease has been forfeit by the tenant for non-payment of rent owed. This information is displayed on the notice displayed on the property.
“All other matters are subject to ongoing legal proceedings, and we are not in a position to comment at this time.”
