Anytime Fitness ceiling tiles collapse due to leak

All electrical equipment has been moved from under the area and checked for water ingress, said the manager. 

The manager of Anytime Fitness, Rae Carpenter said: "A member of staff informed me at half past five in the morning on August 22. 

"The tiles dropped down from the leak and the ones you see had to remain for electrical and wiring reasons. 

The area where the tiles fell down (Image: Newsquest)

"We have moved all the electrical equipment away from underneath the area, just in case it happens again. 

"To make sure the equipment remains available to our members, our engineers came in and assessed the machines."

A member of the gym Katie Vans, first reached out to the Penarth Times about the leak at Anytime Fitness. 

"It is great that Katie reached out, it shows she cares, and it reflects the community we have created."

The staff at the gym (Image: Newsquest)

The town gym has an ongoing dispute with the building owners which came into the headlines in October 2023. 

The manager added: "We are trying to maintain a really positive energy for our members who come here."

"We have been told there is a 20 to 24 week legal process, while that is being sorted we are continuing to work hard for members."

What is the dispute between Anytime Fitness and the building owners?

The building on Windsor Road which also contains apartments and a penthouse suite on the top floor is owned by Project 3 Developments.

The dispute was over alleged lack of maintenance and late rent payments - the situation ramped up when the gym doors were suddenly locked. 

In February, wholesale wine sellers Majestic put in a planning application to move into the ground floor of the Moorwell Building, where Anytime is located.

The staff stood in front of the gym (Image: Newsquest)

However this application was dropped after being rejected by the council along with a huge push from gym members imploring the application not to go ahead.

After that, Anytime’s place in Penarth looked to be more settled, with talk of a new 15-year lease having been signed, but once again, the situation turned on its head.

In August, the gym wrote an open letter titled  ‘an open letter to the Penarth Community, council and interested parties' about the threat of closure. 

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• Anytime Fitness gym Penarth future in doubt again

In the letter, the team wrote: “We, the management team and members of Anytime Fitness Penarth write with a deep sense of urgency and concern.

“Our gym is once again facing the threat of closure due to our landlord’s decision to revoke the offer of a 15-year lease and to sell the building as a vacant possession."

In the letter, Anytime emphasised the gyms importance to the community. 

"Anytime Penarth is not just a gym, it's a vibrant community hub where friendships are forged."