THE devastated owners of a much-loved gym are pleading for help after being told they must leave their home of the last 11 years.
Scott Thompson and Gemma Davies have run SPT Fitness for more than a decade and won the hearts of residents with their community ethos – even opening up on Christmas Day to anyone battling loneliness.
However, they have now been served notice to leave their gym, on Prince Close, Westcliff, and must move out by March next year.
The owners are refusing to give up and are pushing to find a new base close to their current site so they can still support their members.
Despite remaining hopeful, everywhere they have looked so far is too expensive and they are calling on anyone who can help to come forward.
Scott said: “We have been told we need to vacate by March. We are absolutely devastated.
“We do everything to support people here. We aren’t just a gym, but part of the community.
“We don’t want to just give up and shut up shop, we need to find a new location, but everything is so expensive, and almost double what we pay now.
“We are devastated, my members are devastated, so many people come here for their mental health, and we don’t want to lose that support for the community.”
The gym prides itself on its family and community focus, with Scott at the helm with his ex-wife Gemma and their children.
And the pair believe their gym is much more than a place to work out – insisting it is a home away from home for their beloved members.
Scott added: “It is just a plea, if anyone knows anyone that can help us. It has been 11 years, it is devastating.
“I will need to move all the equipment, and all my members if possible. It is so overwhelming.
“I don’t even know what I am asking for, but I need help, some support from the community to help us to find and move to someone new, and build back up.
“We have been in the business 11 years, it is so established, I can’t let this go down without a fight.”
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