Kettering gym hit with banning notice over lockdown opening

A Kettering gym which was used despite lockdown laws preventing it from opening has been hit with a banning order.

Bodyshapers Gym, in School Lane, was served with the prohibition notice by Kettering Council on Friday (January 22) after a review of evidence provided by Northamptonshire Police.

They say it showed the gym being used despite its requirement to be closed under current emergency rules to slow the spread of Covid-19.

A council spokesman said the gym had previously flouted the law last summer, when another prohibition notice was served under different coronavirus legislation in effect at that time.

They added that under current requirements, attending a gym is not only a breach of coronavirus laws but is classed as a non-essential journey and a breach of requirements over indoor meetings.

Shirley Plenderleith, head of public services at Kettering Council, said: “We are in the middle of the worst public health crisis for many years and yet still some businesses believe it does not affect them and they can continue as normal.

"Unfortunately, that is not the case and we will continue to enforce the law with all the powers we have to ensure that the steps necessary to get the virus under control are complied with.”

Failing to comply with a prohibition notice is a criminal offence, punishable by a fine.

In August Kettering nightclub Aqua was also served with a prohibition notice after opening despite coronavirus rules preventing them from doing so.

And The Raj restaurant was given a fine just before Christmas after breaching rules by hosting a birthday party.