The eagerly anticipated opening of UFC Gym’s new location in Castle Marina has been marred by criticism as the company grapples with unresolved customer charges and accusations of poor communication. Despite promises of a summer opening, patrons who were charged during the gym’s closure are still awaiting refunds, casting a shadow over the brand’s reputation.
Having closed its Huntingdon Street premises in November last year, UFC Gym initially announced plans to relocate to the retail park and open its doors early this year. However, delays in the opening have fueled frustration among customers, who lament the lack of transparency and updates regarding the transition.
As the company gears up for its reopening, promotional material touts the new facility as a “modern marvel,” boasting a plethora of amenities including extensive training areas, a UFC Octagon, and state-of-the-art studio spaces. Despite these promises, recent visits to the site paint a different picture.
Nottinghamshire Live’s inspection of the premises on May 14 revealed minimal progress since their last visit in February. The former Mothercare storefront still bears remnants of its previous occupant, with no discernible activity at the site. While promotional posters adorn the windows, offering QR codes for membership registration, the interior remains largely untouched, with equipment scattered across the vacant space.
Adding to the scrutiny is the discovery of a certificate of incorporation for “NG1 GYM LTD,” dated June 27, 2023, raising questions about the company’s legal status and operational timeline.
Online, UFC Gym’s social media presence paints a similarly bleak picture. The UFC Gym Nottingham Facebook page has been dormant since January, with recent comments highlighting customers’ grievances over unpaid membership fees. Furthermore, the absence of activity on Instagram accounts linked to the UK arm of UFC Gym, including @ufcgymuk and @ufcgymcityroad, underscores a broader pattern of communication lapses since November.
As discontent mounts among patrons and inquiries into the company’s operations intensify, UFC Gym finds itself embroiled in a public relations crisis, facing demands for accountability and transparency regarding its delayed opening and unresolved financial matters.