A PAIR of businessowners who poured their everything into a gym have spoken of their sadness at having to close the venue after seven happy years.

Wayne Redmond opened the Riverside Health Club in Rawtenstall in 2015 and along with his partner Lisa Camps enjoyed years of happy memories and good business.

Just before March 2020, the couple were about to hit a milestone target of having 1,000 members on their books – and then the world shut down.

A combination of the coronavirus pandemic that year paired with a new chain health centre opening nearby saw business drop-off to unsustainable levels for the pair, who were left with no other option than to close.

Lancashire Telegraph:

The Riverside Health Club

Mr Redmond, who is ex-military and has always worked in fitness, said: “January to March is a gym’s busiest time. I’d be looking up at the row of our treadmills and see two people using them – it was totally disheartening.

“We felt we would be able to bounce back after the coronavirus pandemic and restrictions lifted, but the new centre opening just proved too much for us.

“They’ve opened a great facility and they’re able to drop to a low price. They are a big operator, and we just can’t compete.

“Quitting is really not in my nature, so this has been a really hard decision to make.”

The couple made the announcement of their sad news on social media yesterday and dozens of people have offered kind words of support since finding out.

Posting on Facebook, they said: “It’s with great sadness, that as of today Riverside Health-Club will be closing its doors for the final time.

“We would like to thank all our staff and members, past and present for all your support during the last seven years.

“Its been a great pleasure being a part of this journey, it’s an emotional day for every staff member and we wish you all the best in your life endeavours.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

Inside the gym

One person responded: “Sorry to hear this guys - one of the best places I’ve trained.”

Another added: “Very sad to read this, riverside wasn’t just a gym it was a community with fabulous members. Spent 10 happy years there , such a shame it has to close.”

Mr Redmond and Ms Camps were both active in taking classes and described their business as everything to them and something they had ploughed their life savings in to.

And while Mr Redmond, 55, is to take some time away from work to recharge and recover, Ms Camps is to continue her Boogie Bounce classes in a new venue.

More information on the classes, which will now be held at Waterfoot ABA, can be found on Facebook by searching for Boogie Bounce Xtreme Rossendale.