UK Gyms Express Disappointment Over Exclusion from £1bn Omicron Relief Fund
The UK government recently announced a £1bn Omicron Relief Fund to support businesses affected by the new variant of COVID-19. However, many gyms across the country have expressed disappointment over their exclusion from the fund.
Gyms have been hit hard by the pandemic, with many forced to close their doors for extended periods of time. Even when they have been allowed to reopen, they have faced restrictions on capacity and operating hours, which has severely impacted their revenue.
Despite this, gyms have not been included in the Omicron Relief Fund, which has been earmarked for businesses in the hospitality, leisure, and retail sectors. This has left many gym owners feeling frustrated and overlooked.
One gym owner, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “It’s incredibly disappointing that gyms have been left out of this fund. We’ve been hit just as hard as other businesses in the hospitality and leisure sectors, but we’re not being given the same support.”
The exclusion of gyms from the fund has also been criticised by industry bodies, such as ukactive, which represents the UK’s physical activity sector. In a statement, ukactive CEO Huw Edwards said: “The exclusion of gyms from the Omicron Relief Fund is a missed opportunity to support a sector that has been hit hard by the pandemic.”
Edwards went on to highlight the importance of gyms in promoting physical and mental health, and called on the government to provide targeted support for the sector.
The government has defended its decision to exclude gyms from the fund, stating that it has focused on sectors that have been most affected by the new variant. However, many gym owners argue that they have been equally affected, and that their exclusion from the fund is unfair.
As the UK continues to grapple with the Omicron variant, it remains to be seen whether gyms will receive the support they need to survive. For now, many gym owners are left feeling frustrated and uncertain about the future of their businesses.
