DW SPORTS in Barnsley will close for the final time tonight after the company that runs it was confirmed to be going into administration.
DW Sports, founded by former Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan, confirmed this week it would be commencing closing-down sales in all of its 50 remaining stores, with 25 already closing prior to the administration procedure starting.
The firm also operates 73 gyms across the UK and employs more than 1,700 people - all of which are now at risk of redundancy.
Of these, 59 have reopened according to administrator BDO.
But in a statement, staff at the Barnsley gym at the Peel Retail Park, on Harborough Hill Road, confirmed they would be closing the doors ‘for the final time’ at 8pm tonight.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every single member of the club for joining us at DW Sports Barnsley over the many years that we have been open,” they said.
“Your loyalty and support has helped shape this club into the fantastic health and fitness venue that it is today.
“We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for that.
“We are truly gutted that it has come to this and we have to shut our doors, but we wish everyone all the best in achieving your fitness goals.”
BDO said it would be ‘working towards saving as many jobs as possible through a possible sale of all or part of the business as a going concern’.
Fitness First, part of the same group, is unaffected by the administration and that company’s 43 sites remain operational.
