A DERRY gym owner says he believes that the Stormont Executive has forgotten about their industry and feels they have been left “sitting in the dark”.
Gyms in the North of Ireland remain closed and there is not yet a timetable for when they can reopen.
Indoor leisure facilities are included in phase four of the executive’s plan, but this is not accompanied by a date.
Sam Conley, who is a gym owner and personal trainer, says gym owners are frustrated that they “have no timetable, no schedule and nothing to go on”.
“We have been patient and very compliant, but now we are very, very angry,” Mr Conley told BBC Radio Foyle.
Mr Conley says he has been holding virtual classes for people, but that “physically training clients in his gym is his life-blood”.
He said “hopes were raised” when hairdressers were given a date for reopening, but as of yet there has “not even been a consultation process” for how gyms could potentially reopen here.
Mr Conley said he has been inundated with messages from his clients saying how much they are struggling with their mental health at the minute because the gym is simply not open.
“People don’t just go to the gym to build muscle or to get fit, but they go for their mental health, they are really struggling,” he says.
He says he is ready to open, but just needs to be given an opening date.
Mr Conley has also written an open letter on his Facebook page calling on the Executive to give him and other gym owners a date for when they can welcome back their loyal customers.
“First and Deputy First Minister …
“Let this be the week you remember us.
“Personal Trainers, Fitness Facility and Gym owners cast aside so far in your master plan for recovery.
“Not to mention our clients who arguably need us now more than ever.
“We have been compliant and exceptionally patient …
“We have seen other industries and sectors given clarity, guidance and A DATE whilst we remain in the dark.
“We have given YOU the benefit of the doubt on figures many, many times lower than those we were frightened into closure with. For fewer deaths we are entirely grateful, but the point remains.
“We have had to accept that you have ZERO CLUE obviously how our sector works.
“You’d know the difference between a private training facility and a large commercial gym or leisure centre if you did. Your measures would be rolled out accordingly so we can only assume you are unaware of this.
“We waited fearfully for a huge surge in cases after thousands broke socal distancing in nationwide protest 2 weeks past.
“Thankfully it didn’t come but we’re left scratching our heads.
“We’ve watched other countries and the rest of the UK release dates for our sector but we get nothing.
“We have encouraged, motivated and been there for our clients, going above and beyond to do our job remotely and for little or no income. Prioritising their HEALTH & WELLBEING. You benefit ultimately as we continue to help drive down illness and fight obesity on your behalf.
“We take pride in our establishments, everyone I know fought damn hard to open them in the first place. We cleanse and sanitise anyway, we always did but we’ll gladly do more.
“We CAN easily social distance at 2, 3, 4 or 5m as we train clients ,,, name the number, we can make it happen. We are not what you perceive us to be clearly.
“We need to work. Our clients need us to be open. From a mental health perspective you obviously massively underestimate what we do and the impact we have.
“We’re prepared to work with you in any way necessary going forward.
“BUT please …. STOP IGNORING US!!”
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