Edinburgh gym owners have explained how they run their business to councillors after trading for 24 hours a day without permission.
At Monday’s licensing committee members heard that the JD Sports gym in Westside Plaza, Wester Hailes, had been operating throughout the night, despite being required to close at 10pm.
Council public safety staff added that some 27 safety issues had been discovered during an unannounced inspection of the property, and had therefore objected to a licence renewal.
But safety officer David Sinclair said the firm had remedied most of the issues by the time the licensing meeting was held – and therefore he encouraged his service drop the objection.
Licensing solicitor, Catherine Loudon, was present in the room, representing the firm, while JD Gym Group property director Darren Pallet attended remotely.
Ms Loudon told councillors: “We are immensely grateful for Mr Sinclair’s team working so closely with us to address matters.
“I would hope everyone would agree that Darren has jumped to it, as he’s needed to.
Mr Pallet said: “In regards to the 24/7 operation, it was borne from naiveté around the details of our public entertainment licence, and an incorrect understanding we had of it.
“As soon as we were made aware of [the various issues], we ceased trading 24/7 and implemented a very prompt action plan on the items Mr Sinclair found on the site visit.”
Ms Loudon added that the firm had put forward an application to allow the gym to trade 24/7.
Cllr ouncillor Margaret Graham asked what assurances the firm could provide that the issues would not repeat themselves.
Mr Pallet replied: “This is a very serious matter for us that has been raised at board level in the business, with myself taking ownership of this going forward.
“We’re going to have another application coming to committee for another site in Edinburgh, learning we have gained painfully will be taken going forward.”
Committee Convener, Joanna Mowat, asked what plans would be put in place to actually stop any repeat offences.
Mr Pallet said that extensive measures were being implemented, including monthly audits, as well as an annual staff training in December – with an additional one conducted this month.
Cllr Mowat continued: “We’ve heard from public safety that they’ve withdrawn their objection because the items they’ve found have been addressed.
“This is a renewal of an existing licence 6am to 10pm. So given we have no objection I think we’re really mandated to grant this licence.
“I expect officers to ensure learning has come out of this incident – because it’s not been compliant one day out of the year, you need to be compliant 365 days out of the year.”
Councillors granted the licence renewal.
By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter
