Body Craft Fitness in Castletown has shut after a dispute with the landlord of the building over debt.

A spokesperson from the business said: ‘On Tuesday, the landlord of the building we lease changed the locks and has forced our temporary closure with no notice. ‘We appreciate there was some debt owing due to Covid the amounts have greatly decreased and we were in negations for a new long-term lease on the expiry of ours in around two years, completing a 10 year agreement.

‘We feel this is unnecessary and is heavy-handed to force our closure. We are engaging with lawyers to have the doors back opened so we can complete our lease term.’

Arbory, Malew and Castletown MHK Jason Moorhouse said: ‘The impact of the closure of Body Craft has had a huge impact on the staff and gym members. The wider community have been affected. The impact on other local businesses and activity in the town can already be seen. I have been a member of Body Craft since it relocated into the Square from Balthane about seven years ago.

‘Over 350 of us visited Body Craft on a regular basis, using it as the opportunity to visit shops and to meet people.’