Wigan gym vows to remain open and defy England's lockdown

A Wigan gym has vowed to remain open and defy England’s lockdown when it comes into force on Thursday.
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Majestic Gym, in Pemberton, said it would open as usual on Thursday and it urged other businesses to "refuse to obey the tyranny."

Speaker to the PA News Agency, the gym's director Kevin Harper said e was standing up for what he believes is right.

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He said: “The Government really needs to think about the position on this.

Inside Majestic Gym WiganInside Majestic Gym Wigan
Inside Majestic Gym Wigan

“I don’t have a criminal record, I’m not known to the police, I’ve never been in trouble with the law, and I’m being criminalised for doing what I think is standing up for what I believe is right, and also protecting the rights of my members, who are paying members, to come and exercise.”

He said since the gym reopened in July there had been no incidents of illness and regulations had been followed.

He added: “The factory next door have got more workers than we’ve got members and they have no implications and no restrictions placed on them, however my industry is set to close.

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“The benefits of this industry for mental health, particularly at this time of year when you are looking at suicide rates, are unbelievable.”

It said the gym is cleaner and safer than any supermarket, fast food outlet or anywhere else that is allowed to stay open.

While it said they temperature test ever single person on entry, and that since it reopened, nobody has failed the check out of 3,500 visits.

Companies face a £10,000 fine if they refuse to comply with restrictions ordering the closure of pubs, restaurants, hairdressers, gyms and all non-essential retailers.

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Regulations setting out the new laws in England are due to be published on Tuesday before being put to a vote by MPs on Wednesday.

If passed, as expected, the measures would come into effect at 12.01am on Thursday. While the vast majority of businesses are expected to comply with the rules, a small number have publicly vowed to flout them.

In a Facebook post, the gym said: "Seen the latest news from the Prime Minister and I’m proud to announce that Majestic Gym will stay open and NOT close as part of a national lockdown.

"Please feel free to report this post to the police, the council, the prime minister himself.

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"Majestic gym is cleaner and safer than any supermarket, fast food outlet or anywhere else that is allowed to stay open. We temperature test EVERY single person on entry and side we reopened in July, we’ve had 3500 visits and nobody has failed a temperature test.

"The more businesses that refuse to obey the tyranny, clog the legal system and save our liberties."

Several businesses across the country which have defied the new laws have also referenced the Magna Carta, the peace treaty signed by King John and rebel barons in 1215, declaring the monarch and the government would not be allowed to behave above the law.

However, only four of its 63 clauses are still valid in law today, and clause 61 is not one of them.

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On Radio Five Live, a gym owner from Greater Manchester called Jayne told The Emma Barnett Show her studio had been open for exercise classes on Thursday.

She said: “I don’t believe it is lawful to say to somebody ‘shut your gym’ when it helps people.

“Fitness is helping the NHS.”

Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Ian Hopkins, who was also on the programme, said the force would support local authorities to enforce the restrictions.

He said: “We recognise the impact this has had right across the North West and beyond.

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“Our police gyms have been closed throughout this period, we never reopened, and we absolutely recognise that health and fitness is important for all of us physically and mentally, but the Government have made some decisions so that it is consistent.”

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