A GYM has blamed its imminent closure on the impact of Covid-19 lockdowns and membership losses.

Fitness First in Fleetsbridge, Poole, will close its doors permanently on August 31 due to it no longer being “commercially viable” to operate.

Members and staff were informed via email or message on August 1 when no specific reason was cited for the closure.

However, following enquires by the Echo, Fitness First said the “devastating impact” of the pandemic had carried through and that it lost members during this time.

A Fitness First spokesperson said “Following the devastating impact the Covid-19 lockdowns had on our Poole club, we have fewer members using the facility and it is no longer commercially viable to continue operating it.

“As a result, we have made the difficult decision to close the club at the end of August.”

The gym has been in operation for more than 15 years and is one of 35 Fitness First sites in the UK.

It formerly ran a site at Queens Park from 1993 to 2016 when it was taken over by BH Live.

In its email to members, the gym said it would be “working diligently” to assist members during the closure process.