Gym chain with 230 locations to close branch forever in hours as fans slam 'terrible' timing | The Sun

A GYM chain with 230 locations will close a branch forever in just hours – as fans slam the terrible "timing".

The Xercirse4Less gym in Falkirk's Callendar Square Shopping Centre will shut its doors at 8pm this evening.

JD Gyms Group announced the gym's closure in a statement earlier this month.

A spokesperson said: "Due to the ongoing decline and closure of the Callendar Square Shopping Centre, we are really sorry to tell you Xercise4Less Falkirk will be closing permanently on Sunday, December 17 at 8pm.

"We really didn't want to close but it is out of our control."

Memberships will be automatically transferred to JD Gyms – giving fitness fans access to 10 gyms across Scotland.

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JD Gyms said: "To thank you for your support, we will freeze your Direct Debit in December.

"You will pay nothing until January, giving you a month free – so you can try out all the JD Gyms clubs across Scotland.

"From January, your membership will continue, no contract.

"You'll see your Direct Debit go out to JD Gyms.

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"If you do not wish to be a member at JD Gyms, please cancel your Direct Debit with your bank."

It comes as a major fashion chain with 350 stores has put a shop up for let – with shoppers slamming the "absolutely shocking" news.

A popular Italian restaurant will also close all of its branches before the New Year.

Why are retailers closing branches?

The cost of living crisis, stubbornly high inflation and energy costs are taking their toll on retailers.

Shoppers have been cutting back spending, while the cost of actually running a store has also increased, meaning some outlets have struggled to keep going.

Figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) this summer found the UK had lost 6,000 stores over a five-year period.

Several major brands have also collapsed and closed stores for good.
Wilko's fall in August marked the biggest British retail collapse since McColl's plunged into administration in May last year.

Paperchase collapsed into administration at the end of January this year and all 106 stores closed for good.

Scottish clothing brand M&Co and wellies retailer Joules were among a host of other familiar brands that went bust in 2022.

But shoppers still have reason to be cheerful as other retailers are actually expanding this year.

The Sun recently revealed discount retailer Costco is expanding in the UK and is planning to open 14 more warehouses over the next two years.

Bonmarche is opening at least seven new stores after filing for administration in 2019, while The White Company is due to open new stores in October and November.

Once-huge bakery chain Patisserie Valerie, which also collapsed into administration and closed most of its stores, has started reopening branches, as revealed by the Sun.

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Wilko shops have already started returning to the UK high street after the chain collapsed earlier this year.

We also recently revealed bakeries Wenzels, Greggs, Dunkin' Donuts and The Cornish Bakery are all in the process of expanding in the UK.

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