A POPULAR gym in Poole is set to close next month after the landlords terminated the lease of the premises.

LA Fitness, based at Tower Park, off Yarrow Road, will close its doors for the final time on Friday, August 1, after it announced the news through its Facebook page.

In a post signed off by Martin Long LA Fitness’s CEO, it said: “Following our recent correspondence regarding the sale of LA Fitness Poole, it is unfortunate that I have to inform you of the club’s closure.

“We had found a new operator for the club in Sports Direct, however, disappointingly, the landlord has not agreed to the transfer and has notified us on the termination of the lease.

“We can confirm that the club will close effectively from 6pm on August 1, 2014.”

The post also said that LA Fitness is supporting the club’s staff to find long-term employment once the Poole site closes, and that memberships will automatically be terminated from the start of August.

Club member, Tom Deady, 48, a delivery driver from Oakdale, said: “We’re all gutted. I’ve been coming here for four years, as it is in a convenient location, there is free parking, the staff are fantastic and the other members are friendly.

“It’s just so ridiculous that the landlords won’t transfer the lease.”

Claire Rhodes, 35, from Wareham, said: “The location is just very convenient. The classes are perfectly-timed and once you come here for the gym, you can go to Tesco after or one of the restaurants. Plus it’s got a pool and a sauna there.

“You’ve got the gym at Parkstone but that is a good 25 minutes away from here. It’s ridiculous.”

Jenny Moore, 56, retired from Parkstone, said: “I’m gutted. Georgie Porgies, which is right next door, has been closed for months and now this, which is in a prime location.”

Tower Park was unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.