BUSINESS owners are angry and upset after the sudden closure of Chippenham’s The Gym UK forced their own businesses, which they had invested thousands of pounds in, to close.

The three companies, CK Clinic, Compass Cuts and Netspin, all located at Bumpers Farm above the gym, were given less than a week’s notice to remove all their belongings from the premises by The Gym UK’s director, Ian Davey.

Louise Kempson ran sports physio CK Clinic with her husband, Chris, for 18 months and had just taken on a second room.

“We’re devastated. We had just been painting the second room in the last month and that’s £300 we won’t get back,” said the 39-year-old, who lives in Chippenham with her husband and four-month-old baby, Juliet. “He must have known there were issues.

“We’re trying to make a claim as he has to give us 28 days’ notice but the chances of us getting anything back are going to be slim to none.

“There are people who would have paid for a full year membership at the gym."

The company is now based at the Olympiad Centre but owner of hairdressers Compass Cuts, Laura Cole, has been unable to find a new home and is asking clients to contact her on 07951 766388.

“One of the girls from downstairs came up last week and was red in the face, really upset.

She said they had all just been made redundant,” said the 32-year-old who had run her business for almost a year.

“I’m gutted, I’m still in shock."

Posting on the gym’s website last week, a statement from Mr Davey said the closure had been prompted by ‘the actions of the landlord and their agents’, and claimed his own business had only been given a week to leave. “The Gym UK will therefore be closing this week” his statement said.

The online statement advised people to contact the landlord’s agent with any queries. The Gazette has tried to contact both the agents named and Mr Davey this week, but received no response.

Customers of The Gym UK are also angry at the closure and don’t know if they will be able to claim refunds. Posting on social media, Tegan Ramsey said: “Who do I contact about a refund for my membership for this month? Giving us the number of the chartered surveyors isn’t helpful in the slightest.”

Jordan Girling posted: “I’m not sure why the gym let me pay £150 for a six-month membership less than a week ago when they knew that the gym would close.”