Industrial Gym on Brunel Drive, Newark, is fined after opening facility during national lockdown
A Newark gym owner who opened their facility to customers despite it being illegal to do so has been fined.
Officers from Newark’s neighbourhood policing team attended the Industrial Gym on Brunel Drive, Newark, on Wednesday, January 13, after intelligence suggested the premises was open.
When police arrived, two people were found to be using the gym and the owner was spotted by eagle-eyed officers sat in a car outside the building.
The owner, a man in his 40s, was issued with an £1,000 fine for failing to comply with requirements for certain businesses to close. The two gym goers, a man in his 30s and a man in his 50s, were fined £200 each.
The country is currently in a national lockdown due to a high number of coronavirus cases and a large number of people in hospital with the disease. As a result, there are restrictions in place that prohibit the opening of certain businesses, including gyms, in order to prevent the spread of the deadly disease.
Nottinghamshire Police has once again reminded the public of their responsibility to prevent the spread of covid-19 and has thanked the vast majority of people for following the rules.
Neighbourhood Policing Inspector for Newark and Sherwood Heather Sutton, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This blatant disregard for the lockdown restrictions was swiftly dealt with by our neighbourhood policing team.
“It is astounding that people feel that they are above the restrictions when cases of coronavirus across the country continue to be in the tens of thousands per day and we are consistently seeing more than 1,000 people dying from this disease every day.
“Times are really tough for everyone, but we all have a responsibility to ensure we do everything we can to prevent the spread of this disease and lower the impact on the NHS.
“That is why we will continue to take action against those who flout these restrictions. Flouting the rules means it may take longer for the lockdown to be lifted, and I'm sure that's something nobody wants.
“By working together with our partners and taking action, such as regular patrols, acting on and sharing information given to us and handing out these fines to those flouting the law, we hope it sends a clear message to stay home, follow the rules, protect the NHS and keep people safe.
"I do also want to say thank you to the vast majority of people who we know have been abiding by the rules, your efforts are not going unrecognised and we understand the sacrifices being made in order to protect the NHS.”
Working with Newark and Sherwood District Council, a partnership approach has been ongoing to ensure both the community and businesses are aware of, and following, the current covid-19 restrictions and regulations.
Newark and Sherwood District Council leader David Lloyd said: “Emergency services and frontline NHS staff are working around the clock to protect the public from the pandemic, which is made all the more difficult when the restrictions are disregarded in such a way.
“I know how tough it is but while there are allowances for being able to exercise outdoors, the rules do not allow for people to work out indoors at a gym. We thank the vast majority of the public who continue to adhere to the restrictions, but those who do not should expect enforcement action to be taken.”
