A seafront gym which has been open for 17 years has been forced to close suddenly amid fears its roof could collapse and crush exercisers.
Matt Bartsch, who owns Riptide, said that he received notification from Brighton and Hove City Council in April that he had three weeks to close the gym.
The 43-year-old said building surveyors had examined the Brighton gym’s structure as part of a routine check.
He said there were fears that if a vehicle went off road it could land on the gym’s roof and fall through.
Publishing a note on Riptide’s website, he said: “It is with great regret and deep sadness that we must inform you that from Monday, May 6, Riptide Gym has been forced to cease operating in its current location, vacate and close its premises.
“This follows a very recent notice and negotiation between solicitors on behalf of Riptide, the council and highways this last week.
“The action we have been instructed to take is due to the conclusion from an assessment commissioned by Brighton and Hove Council, with regard to the super structures giving support to the highway, which are close to limits of their capacity to bear the load of pedestrian use of the footway and may not be capable of bearing the weight if a vehicle were to accidentally mount the footway.
“The instruction and assessment asks us to appreciate that this presents a serious risk of danger to both users of the premises and highway and that the council is under duty to take this action to ensure the safety of both users of the highway and of the premises itself.
“Officers are currently monitoring the situation in this period before our last trading date.
“The council are then due to enter the premises and carry out ‘propping up’ and remedial work, which makes the premises unusable, yet the structure safe.
“We understand how shocking and upsetting this news is.”
'Devastating news'
Speaking yesterday (May 2), Mr Bartsch said: “It was devastating news to hear.”
In an email seen by The Argus, council leader Jason Kitcat said: “The risks are so significant that, regrettably, the business does need to leave the premises so that propping can be installed to support the upper promenade and relieve some of the structural stresses.
“The gym has been allowed enough time to wind things down or find alternative premises and to negotiate compensation arrangements with the council.”
Lead councillor for transport and highways issues, Ian Davey, said: “We’re very sorry that Riptide are being required to relocate, and we are working very closely with them to help them find an alternative location so that the business can thrive.
“However, we have to put safety first and the current state of the structure presents a risk to users.
“Improvement work on the King’s Road arches is ongoing.”
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