![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/jd-gyms-jd-gyms-pride-864122333-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nA GYM chain with 230 locations will close a branch forever in just hours – as fans slam the terrible "timing".<\/p>\n
The Xercirse4Less gym in Falkirk's Callendar Square Shopping Centre will shut its doors at 8pm this evening.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
JD Gyms Group announced the gym's closure in a statement earlier this month.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
"We really didn't want to close but it is out of our control."<\/p>\n
Memberships will be automatically transferred to JD Gyms – giving fitness fans access to 10 gyms across Scotland.<\/p>\n
JD Gyms said: "To thank you for your support, we will freeze your Direct Debit in December.<\/p>\n "You will pay nothing until January, giving you a month free – so you can try out all the JD Gyms clubs across Scotland.<\/p>\n "From January, your membership will continue, no contract.<\/p>\n "You'll see your Direct Debit go out to JD Gyms.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n "If you do not wish to be a member at JD Gyms, please cancel your Direct Debit with your bank."<\/p>\n It comes as a major fashion chain with 350 stores has put a shop up for let – with shoppers slamming the "absolutely shocking" news.<\/p>\n A popular Italian restaurant\u00a0will also close all of its branches before the New Year.<\/p>\n The\u00a0cost of living\u00a0crisis, stubbornly high\u00a0inflation\u00a0and\u00a0energy\u00a0costs are taking their toll on retailers.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Figures from the\u00a0British Retail Consortium\u00a0(BRC) this\u00a0summer\u00a0found the UK had lost 6,000 stores over a five-year period.<\/p>\n Several major brands have also collapsed and closed stores for good. Paperchase collapsed into administration\u00a0at the end of January this year and all 106 stores\u00a0closed for good.<\/p>\n Scottish clothing brand\u00a0M&Co\u00a0and wellies retailer\u00a0Joules\u00a0were among a host of other familiar brands that went bust in 2022.<\/p>\n But shoppers still have reason to be cheerful as other retailers are actually expanding this year.<\/p>\n The Sun recently revealed\u00a0discount retailer Costco\u00a0is expanding in the UK and is planning to open 14 more warehouses over the next two years.<\/p>\n Bonmarche is opening\u00a0at least seven new stores after filing for administration in 2019, while The White Company is due to open new stores in October and November.<\/p>\n Once-huge bakery chain\u00a0Patisserie Valerie, which also collapsed into administration and closed most of its stores, has started reopening branches, as revealed by the Sun.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/newspress-collage-fxzt1mac1-1702730364486.jpg\")
<\/picture>BYE BYE <\/span><\/p>\n\u2018Shocking\u2019 cry shoppers as major fashion chain with 350 stores put shop up for let<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/newspress-collage-1gh690w23-1702726609315.jpg\")
<\/picture>SPLASH THE CASH <\/span><\/p>\nI knew I had won lotto prize after hearing a song through neighbour's wall<\/h3>\n
Most read in Money<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/SC_P26-27_COMP.jpg\")
<\/picture>ON THE MONEY <\/span><\/p>\nHow two mums saved \u00a3166 a week by switching from contactless to cash<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/newspress-collage-4vfth8bd9-1702724611446.jpg\")
<\/picture>REAL DEAL <\/span><\/p>\nAsda trick to get discounts revealed as customer bags \u00a310 of shopping for 10p<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/signage-jobcentre-plus-pictured-following-613266350-1.jpg\")
<\/picture>PLEASE HOLD <\/span><\/p>\nDWP to make big change to services for those on benefits next week<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/gm_15-12_consumer_coffee_comp_720.jpg\")
<\/picture>GOOD BREW <\/span><\/p>\nI tested coffee machines under \u00a350 – the winner was cheap and better than Costa<\/h3>\n
Why are retailers closing branches?<\/h2>\n
Wilko's fall in August marked the biggest British retail collapse since\u00a0McColl's plunged into administration in May last year.<\/p>\nRead more on The Sun<\/h2>\n
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