Adrian Portelli has a week to save Derrimut 24:7 Gym as equipment seen left in rain at Noarlunga, power outage at Windsor Gardens
The power has been out at another Derrimut 24:7 Gym branch as AGL chases the chain over debts – can Adrian Portelli change its course in one week?
The ATO’s application to wind up a major company of Derrimut 24:7 Gym remains active after one Adelaide branch faced a prolonged power outage, while equipment was spotted soaking in the rain at another recently closed branch.
A Federal Court hearing over an alleged $12.53m tax debt, which could force the chain into liquidation, remains scheduled for next week as the gym’s customers wait to learn whether billionaire Adrian Portelli’s promise to save the business will come to fruition.
On Wednesday and Thursday night, a large section of the chain’s Windsor Gardens branch had no lighting, prompting staff to block off the area with caution tape to prevent members from using the space in the evening.
Customers were allowed to train in the area during the day, when sunlight was available.
A Derrimut 24:7 member, who did not want to be named, said customers “can’t seem to get any accurate information from the club”.
“It’s unacceptable for a fee-paying member to only use certain parts of the gym when there is adequate light,” they said.
“How is it that (part of) the gym is available for use and has lighting and a significant area is only available when there is light outside?”
Energy company AGL is one of the creditors supporting the wind-up application, along with Return to Work SA, Melbourne United Basketball and two gym equipment companies, Bench Fitness and Fitness Equipment Finance Pty Ltd.
On Tuesday night, weight machines and other equipment were seen left in the rain at a parking lot outside the chain’s Noarlunga branch, which last month became the third in South Australia to be recently shut out by landlords over claims of unpaid rent.
The chain had told its customers the branch had closed temporarily, but on Wednesday, Derrimut 24:7 Gym director Nikolaos Solomos posted Instagram pictures of himself and Mr Portelli, writing in a caption the branch would move to Seaford Meadows.
“Noarlunga moving to Seaford Meadows now Adrian can you make sure no more Derrimut’s (sic) close down f@*%k sake,” the caption said.
Mr Solomos posted the same photo two more times, writing in captions: “Look at my bank account is enough to pay my taxes (laughter emoji)” and “Who’s a sexy daddy ohhhh yeahhhh (laughter emoji)”.
Mr Solomos did not respond on Thursday to queries about the gym equipment left in the rain. The equipment had been removed by Wednesday.
In a case before Adelaide’s District Court, the chain is seeking to prevent landlord Dimitri Aretzis from closing its Melrose Park premises.
Aretzis Properties has alleged Derrimut 24:7 failed to pay its rent on multiple occasions, and received default notices, before its six-year, $200,000 Melrose Park lease was terminated in August.
Mr Portelli last week told 7NEWS he “had to step in” to save the chain after seeing it “in the state it was heading”.
He told The Age: “We’re currently in negotiations to purchase a stake in the business, which will include assisting in paying off the debts and keeping doors open for the 800 employed staff and the hundreds of thousands of members.”
In another Instagram post this week, Mr Solomos likened his partnership with Mr Portelli to that between legendary NBA basketballers Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.
Mr Solomos and Mr Portelli were contacted for comment.
