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Members at personal training gyms in Preston and Chorley have been left out of pocket after the sudden and unexpected closure of a business.
Body Confidence HQ, owned and operated by Liam McNamara, had sites at Rough Hey Road in Grimsargh and Vyking Park in Chorley.
The business offered small group personal training sessions for members at rates that are set at a much-higher rate than a traditional gym subscription.
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A number of members at both gyms were offered discount year-long membership packages to the gym at a cost of over £1,000, Blog Preston understands.
It has left those members unsure about whether and when they will be issued refunds for services that can no longer be provided.
The Body Confidence HQ website and social media channels were taken offline and Liam wrote an email to members, seen by Blog Preston, explaining the closure and attributing it to a theft earlier in 2024, the pressures of lockdown and a breakdown in relationship with the landlord of the property in Grimsargh.
He said: “As a result, and with immediate effect, I am left with no other option but to cease trading, and BCHQ will now be in the hands of liquidators who will manage the closure of the company.
“I understand that this news will bring sadness, frustration, grief and anger and for that, I am deeply sorry. I want to reassure you that this decision was not made lightly, and all possible resources have been exhausted in trying to find a way forward.
“In the coming weeks, you will receive further details from the legal team handling the closure, your details have been passed on and they will provide guidance on any next steps.”
Body Confidence HQ did not respond to Blog Preston’s request for comment.
Most recent company accounts for Body Confidence HQ, for the year ended 30 April 2023, showed the company’s liabilities exceeded its assets. At this time, the business owed around £59,140 to various creditors, with around £40,000 of that owed to banks.
A number of gyms nearby with similar services are offering discount memberships for anyone affected by the closure of Body Confidence HQ.
May Wellbeing, based at Clayton Brook who raised over £2,000 for PNE’s Big Sleep Out co-organised by Blog Preston at the end of 2023, are inviting people get in touch for a discounted induction.
Meanwhile private gym DoTheWorkHQ at Walton Summit are offering a no obligation free week of coaching to those affected.
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