Customers ‘kicked out mid-workout’ as Derrimut 24:7 Gym Angle Vale announces immediate closure

Customers have been “kicked out midwork out” and trucks have arrived to empty a gym in Adelaide’s north that abruptly closed amid a $220,000 landlord dispute.

Customers have been kicked out mid-workout as a popular Adelaide gym abruptly closed amid claims of about $220,000 in unpaid rent.

Derrimut 24:7 Gym Angle Vale posted on its Instagram about 10am on Wednesday informing customers the gym had closed permanently an hour earlier.

Trucks soon arrived at the gym and workout machines, weights and other equipment was removed and loaded.

“We regret to inform you that our lease at the Angle Vale location has not been renewed,” the post said.

But landlord Tony Syrianos, director of Leasecorp Group, disputed this telling The Advertiser it closed because the tenant owed about $220,000 of unpaid rent including outgoings.

He said the situation was similar at another of his properties, the gym’s Seaford branch, and he had never had a tenant rack up so much unpaid rent.

“The termination has occurred not because of a renewal not granted – it’s actually unpaid rent,” he said.

Derrimut Angle Vale announced its abrupt closure in an Instagram post. Picture: Supplied

A truck pictured at Derrimut Angle Vale. An online commenter said it was transporting the gym's equipment as it cleared out. Picture: Supplied

“It’s unfortunate that it’s happened, but it is what it is.”

Commenting on a local Facebook group, one Derrimut customer said she “literally got kicked out randomly mid workout” on Wednesday morning. “Don’t think half the workers knew it was coming,” she said.

It comes after the ABC reported the Australian Taxation Office has alleged Derrimut 24:7 Gym owner Nikolaos Solomos owes more than $11m in tax debts.

Gym members in workout gear were still arriving on Wednesday afternoon to find the gym closed as Derrimut staff members stripped the site of gym equipment and packed it into a truck.

Weights outside the gym to be loaded into a truck. Picture: Darren Chaitman

Weights outside the gym to be loaded into a truck. Picture: Darren Chaitman

The Derrimut 24/7 gym being emptied. Picture: Darren Chaitman

Former Derrimut Angle Vale customer Sunny Chauhan, 40, said the gym was “such a nice place” and its sudden closure was “shocking”.

“There is no information at all – we came yesterday, nobody told us,” he said.

A Derrimut staff member, who filmed this reporter while he was interviewing gym members, said it had closed because of “unforeseen circumstances” but would not comment further.

In February, several branches of the chain announced the 24/7 gym would reduce its operating hours despite the business name advertising its opening hours as 24 hours a day.

Following online backlash and questions from The Advertiser, the chain issued a second announcement to customers saying the branches would transition back to 24-hour access after the implementation of a fob tag access system within two to four weeks.

The Advertiser understands some branches have still not transitioned to 24-hour access.

Exercise equipment outside Derrimut 24/7 Angle Vale gym ready to be loaded into a truck and removed. Picture: Darren Chaitman

In response to questions regarding the circumstances of the closure and installation of 24/7 fob entry at other branches, a Derrimut marketing manager said by email: “If you haven’t got news to write about, go look at the state of the world and report on something worthwhile.”

Announcing the closure on Instagram, the gym said memberships could be placed on hold until a new Elizabeth gym opens in the coming weeks.

“Refund options are available,” the post said. “We sincerely thank you for your support and understanding, and we look forward to welcoming you to our nearby locations soon.”

On Monday, another Adelaide gym, KX at Mile End, announced it would temporarily close from July 27 because of South Rd project works.

A new studio is scheduled to open from 30 August pending council approval.

Originally published as Customers ‘kicked out mid-workout’ as Derrimut 24:7 Gym Angle Vale announces immediate closure