Salisbury swim school facing major business loss after sudden venue closure
The Sports Direct Fitness centre closed without warning on Monday
The closure of a local swimming pool facility in Salisbury has left a swimming school facing the loss of a fifth of it's business.
Sports Direct Fitness on Summerlock Approach closed suddenly earlier this week (Monday 11th December) and was an important venue for the Salisbury branch of Turtle Tots.
Branch owner Becky Eakins has told Greatest Hits Radio that there was no communication between her and those in charge of the venue, leaving her to find out from one of her teachers, who had been told be a friend.
In the email sent to Sports Direct Fitness members, seen by Greatest Hits Radio, it cited the cost of maintaining the facilities making it 'impossible' to continue.
Members were informed that the venue would close on Monday and not re-open afterwards, giving them hours to clear out hired lockers and collect belongings.
Major loss of business
But for Becky, losing 20% of her customer base has massive implications for her business.
"It's going to impact financially, it could impact by having to lose a teacher, which would be really sad, as we may not be able sustain that extra person in the business, without this pool."
Becky told us customers she had spoken to were devastated that the class is in jeopardy, with many customers offering support to the business despite the potential loss of their class.
"The ones I've spoke to have said this is their key chance to bond with their children, to do something special together and to learn life-saving skills in the pool.
"Hopefully we will be able to rehouse them (with another lesson), it may be on a different day or a different time and hopefully many of them will come with us."
Asked about possible new locations, Becky told us she was looking at splitting part of the shallow end at the class in Godolphin school and had been in contact with Sandy Balls in Fordingbridge.
"But it is very difficult to find a pool, particularly on Saturday, so I'm not imagining it's going to be that straightforward."
Business and customers left in the lurch
Becky described communications with her about the closure as "awful", with no prior warning.
"I never actually heard from the pool at all," she said, "It was then I phoned them and they said it was true and it means the swimming pool is closing."
She added that there's yet to be any direct contact with anyone regarding any reasons for the closure of the pool, saying they've been "left in the lurch".
Sports Direct Fitness and Frasers Group, who own Sports Direct, have been contacted for comment about why the site has been closed so suddenly.