The contents of a much-loved Belsize Park gym that closed without warning are being auctioned today.
Alongside treadmills, cross trainers and exercise bikes is a variety of unusual items – including Lego bricks, Jagermeister bottles and rolls of toilet paper.
Employees and members of the SpringHealth Hampstead gym in Belsize Park Gardens were devastated when it suddenly shut its doors on January 26, with the announcement made by an A4 sheet of paper stuck to the window bearing the word “CLOSED”.
The company was put into administration because it incurred “substantial losses”, accountants Smith Cooper said.
Now chartered surveyors Eddisons are overseeing the sale of the gym’s assets.
Bids of up to several hundred pounds have already been submitted for the equipment.
A small collection of alcohol – which includes gin, sambuca, vodka, wine and bourbon – has also attracted bidders.
Among the 224 items in the catalogue are a sandpit with “two new bags of sand”, a coffee grinder, a “quantity of laundered and unlaundered towels”, a full-body mannequin, 11 packs of toilet rolls and six children’s chairs.
The collection reflects comments made by the gym’s former studio co-ordinator, Natasha Nother, who said it was “unbelievably special” place where children often played.
She said at the time of its closure: “It’s way more than a gym – it has a strong family feel.”
It is also where she met her boyfriend, Peter Crimmins – who held classes at the centre for 27 years.
He told the Ham&High the centre was “neglected” but still had a unique atmosphere that attracted the likes of Helena Bonham Carter and members of Coldplay.
He added: “When I was told it was closing, I thought, ‘Hold on, it’s not April Fools’ Day, is it?’ I really couldn’t believe it.”
Staff and members had also complained that the company still owed them money in wages and membership fees.
But a spokesman for the administrators said that issue was “between the company and its staff and customers”.
The auction ends tomorrow at noon and will be on view today until 3.30pm.
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