Gym owner in Southampton is STILL refusing to close his gym during lockdown and ignoring council closure notice by allowing 50 customers in to work out
- Spartans Gym, Southampton, Hants, was open at the start of second lockdown
- ‘Boss’ Josh Gosling appeared in dock but claimed to be just passionate member
- Pleaded not guilty to two counts of failing to comply with reasonable instruction
- Five days in and the 24-hour gym remains open allowing customers to exercise
A suspected gym owner denies he is still refusing to close his gym during lockdown and ignoring council closure notice by allowing 50 customers in to work out.
Spartans Gym in Southampton, Hants., was hauled before court just five days ago charged with two counts of failing to comply with reasonable instruction given by a relevant person.
Gym ‘boss’ Josh Gosling also appeared at Southampton Magistrates Court faced with the same charges on November 13.
Some 50 customers head to Spartans Gym in Southampton, Hants., for a workout despite lockdown measures prohibiting it from opening
Appearing at court charged with breaking coronavirus legislation last week, Gosling denied being the gym owner claiming he was simply a passionate member of the gym.
Today defying the closure notice, the 24-hour gym remained open as around 50 members were spotted heading in for a workout.
A van had been conveniently parked to conceal the open entrance and customers were spotted sneaking in and out of the premises for a session.
The gym and owner now face fines in the thousands for flouting the government restrictions.
A few keen gym enthusiasts took advantage of the gym being open to squeeze in a workout
Gym ‘boss’ Josh Gosling (pictured) appeared at Southampton Crown Court on November 13 charged with breaking coronavirus legislation – but claimed he was simply a passionate gym member
Spartans Gym was first brought to the authorities attention on the morning of November 5 following reports the gym was not observing the legislation during the second lockdown.
Officers handed over documents and warned a man they believed to be the manager that he would be taken to court if he continued to flout the rules.
Appearing in court, Gosling, who represented himself, pleaded not guilty to two counts of failing to comply with reasonable instruction given by a relevant person, claiming he had no authority to decide if the gym remained open.
A van was conveniently parked to conceal the open entrance with some customers spotted heading in
Spartans Gym faces the same charges although it was not clear who actually owns the business, with Gosling saying it is now owned by a man called ‘Dean’.
The 28-year-old told the judge: ‘First of all I don’t know why I’m here.
‘I am not a manager. I have no standing. I am just a passionate member of the gym. I care about it.’
When asked why police officers and staff at Southampton City Council thought he was the manager, Gosling said he had simply been at the gym when they turned up.
Police were first called to Spartans Gym in Southampton, Hants., (pictured) at 10.20am on November 5 following reports the gym was not observing the legislation
He continued: ‘I stood and spoke about my thoughts about what should happen with gyms in the UK.
‘I am not the owner of the gym…I don’t believe that what the government has done is correct.’
The hearing for Gosling, and Spartans Gym, was adjourned until January 27 when a full trial will take place.