‘This is not a decision we ever wanted to make’
The owners of a boutique gym in the city centre have confirmed they have permanently closed after suddenly shutting last month – saying they are ‘incredibly sad’ over the decision.
BLOK Manchester first opened in the Ducie Street Warehouse in spring 2019 where it offered gymgoers a high-end exercise experience with a range of classes, including yoga, pilates and boxing.
The Manchester gym, which can cost up to £205 a month for unlimited classes, marked the first venue for BLOK outside of London. But bosses shared their upset in May when they discovered a forfeiture notice had been hung up on the door to the premises by their landlord.
The notice, dated May 18, said the lease for the fitness studio had been forfeited and the ‘premises have been secured’ by the landlord. Landlords Native Places told the Manchester Evening News at the time the forfeiture had come as a result of ‘continued non-payment’.
A spokesperson for BLOK Manchester denied these claims, with BLOK’s CEO alleging that the closure of the site had been made with ‘no notice’ and that access had been ‘removed without warning’. Native Places did not publicly respond when the claims were put to them.
The gym told customers that they were trying to ‘reach a resolution’ with their landlord, with memberships, class packs and credits – used to book onto sessions – had both been frozen in the meantime.
BLOK have now said on social media that the gym has permanently closed. Bosses said the confirmation came having alleged they were left ‘with no workable way forward’ with their landlord. These claims have today been put to Native Places, who has told the M.E.N. they have no further comment to make.
In a statement, BLOK said: “We’re incredibly sad to announce that BLOK Manchester has closed. This is not a decision we ever wanted to make. BLOK Manchester was a thriving, profitable studio, one we invested in for the long term.
“But over the past week, our relationship with the landlord broke down to a point where trust was lost and continuing the tenancy no longer felt possible. We’ve been left with no workable way forward and have had no choice but to close the site permanently.
“BLOK Manchester was a space built by our loyal and dedicated community. Whether you were with us for one class or a hundred, we are deeply grateful. You helped create something special in an incredible city.”
It has also been confirmed that staff at the Manchester gym are being supported, whilst customers with active memberships or class packs have been contacted regarding refunds. The London locations all remain open and operational, with no disruption caused.
In its previous statement, Native Places said it had ‘taken formal possession of the ground floor gym following the sustained non-payment of rent by the tenant’. A spokesperson added: “This action marks the end of a six-year relationship during which Native has consistently supported the tenant in their occupation of the space.
“Unfortunately, due to continued non-payment, we have had no option but to follow the appropriate legal process. The premises have now been secured, and access is restricted.”
