Posted January 18, 2012 5:41 pm by

Women’s only gym Curves closes another location

CURVES Gym and Nibs Tattoo Parlour have closed  

CURVES Gym and Nibs Tattoo Parlour have closed sparking fears about empty shops in Gloucester.

Women’s only gym Curves, in Southgate Street, shut last week and the parlour which is situated below the gym on the ground floor, shut shop just days beforehand.

 
  1. "DEVASTATED"  Curves Gym and Nibs Tattoo Parlour on Southgate Street.

    “DEVASTATED” Curves Gym and Nibs Tattoo Parlour on Southgate Street.

The gym, part of a national chain, opened in the city eight years ago, and owner Penny Foster has highlighted parking issues as a major factor behind the gym’s closure.

She said: “I’d like to say on behalf of myself and the rest of our staff we have thoroughly enjoyed every minute and it has been such a rewarding experience seeing the amazing results of our members, despite the effort by the parking authorities to put anyone off coming to the city centre.

“Members were devastated, they flooded the club with huge thank yous and testimonials to the difference Curves has made to their lives.”

The youngest member of the Gloucester branch was 11 and the oldest was 86. Curves has supported the Women’s Refuge, Gloucester Food Bank, Family Haven, James Hopkins Trust and Race for Life among other community projects.

It comes as The Citizen has launched its Save our Shops campaign aimed at encouraging people to visit the city. Gloucester city council leader Paul James said: “City centre gyms have an advantage in that they can pick up trade from the people who work there, but they are at a disadvantage in that they can’t provide a free car park, like in outer city gyms.

“It is an attractive spot for anyone thinking of coming to the city as they would benefit from the Linkages development. I hope both units are filled sooner rather than later.” He added that alternative units were offered to Curves but were declined.