Motorcise gyms to stay closed

Motorcise gyms in the Black Country that closed without warning last week look set to remain shut despite a multi-million pound takeover, it emerged today.

The gyms in Cleveland Street, Wolverhampton, West Bromwich High Street and Castle Street, Dudley, are not included in the deal by Energie Group which has snapped up 30 branches across the country. The gyms are aimed at the over-40s, but the three Black Country gyms will not feature in the buy-out.

The news is likely to anger hundreds of members, who paid £395 for a 12-month membership and now fear they could be out of pocket.

Jan Spaticchia, of the Energie Group, said its subsidiary Energie Fitness For Women had come to the rescue of the most branches of Motorcise, which he said had become insolvent.

But he added: "Any of the gyms that closed last week are not included in the deal.

"Energie took over 30 clubs and it would appear that the managers of Motorcise chose to close the rest of their branches last week.

"We are saddened that Motorcise took this decision and would urge members to speak to the administrators."

Shocked members turned up last week to find the Cleveland Street branch shut. Workers were just as stunned. They said they had not been paid for a month.

Regional manager Doug Johnson said last week wages were guaranteed and he hoped the Black Country branches would be taken on by Energie Fitness for Women. Manchester-based administrators Begbies Traynor are now handling claims and can be contacted on 0161 837 1700.

Motorcise is the latest gym to shut suddenly in the Black Country.

Healthland, at the Bentley Bridge site, shut in February, 2006, leaving 4,000 members in the lurch and 50 staff out of a job.

The landmark building, which opened in 1998, has since become a magnet for yobs and vandals who have pelted it with stones.