Refund demands following Oldham Everlast gym renovation

The Everlast Gym in Elk Mill Shopping Park has an average rating of just two-and-a-half stars on Google Maps, with customers complaining in reviews about broken lockers and faulty machines.

However, last month, the gym – run by Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group – received a massive renovation, with refurbished facilities and new equipment.

Now positive reviews are starting to flood in – with gym-goers praising the ‘premium’ feel and calling it the ‘best gym in Oldham’.

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Not everyone is happy with the changes, however.

Some loyal members are voicing their frustration after being unable to use facilities for weeks.

Some members are now demanding refunds (Image: Everlast/Frasers Group)

Member ‘considering legal action’

One member unhappy with the changes was Ramiro Aldana, who told The Oldham Times he would consider legal action over the closure.

Ramiro said he was unhappy about how the company has handled refunds for the period of closure.

The upstairs area of the gym, with free weights and the spin studio, closed from Monday, November 6, with the gym and pool closing fully on Monday, November 20.

The gym re-opened on Wednesday, December 27 – following more than five weeks of closure – with the pool remaining closed for nearly two more weeks.

The company said it has invested a 'significant amount' in the renovation (Image: Everlast/Frasers Group)

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The Royton resident, who pays £40 per month and only uses the pool facilities, said that the company had only waived fees for December – with members forced to pay full price in November and January.

Speaking to The Oldham Times on Monday, the 36-year-old said: “The pool and the sauna are literally the only service I use from them, which are closed.”

Ramiro emailed Everlast, asking for a proportional refund for the 11 days in November and for the days in January when the pool remained closed.

But, in an emailed response seen by The Oldham Times, the company told him that it would ‘not be issuing a refund’.

He added: “That’s not acceptable, you are taking my money, full price, for a service you’re not providing.

“Any other company, not only a gym, when they are having problems, they automatically say they’re going to refund you, and that automatically happens.”

Other members were also upset. On Facebook, Natalie Mullin said: “I only use the pool too, sent emails that have just been completely ignored, customer service is shocking, the pool has been out of use for nearly 7 weeks!”

Chelcie Spencer-Race commented: “Can we just stop the direct debit as they are not upholding their part of the contract?”

The refurb features refreshed designs and new equipment (Image: Everlast/Frasers Group)

Frasers Group responds to concerns

The Oldham Times got in touch with Frasers Group, which also owns Sports Direct, Evans Cycles, and GAME, among others, to put Ramiro’s concerns to the company.

In an email response, the company said the pool had now re-opened, as of Monday, January 8, and that it would be happy to provide Ramiro with an additional week’s refund.

In a statement, Everlast Gym’s managing director Dan Summerson said: “We’re thrilled with the total transformation of Everlast Gyms Oldham, providing our members with a world-class fitness facility.

“We listened to our members’ feedback and have invested a significant amount into elevating the gym, which features refreshed designs, new studios, our brand-new APEX Gym training concept, further cardio, free-weight and functional equipment, and an elevated pool area - as well as our renowned flavore nutrition bar!

“We’re looking forward to elevating more of our Everlast Gyms throughout the UK, giving our members full service at the best price.”

If you have a story, I cover the whole borough of Oldham. Please get in touch at jack.fifield@newsquest.co.uk or click to send me a message on WhatsApp or on Signal on 07517566383.