A GoFundMe campaign set up by TJ’s Gym in Lake has raised over £3,000 in less than 48 hours as the popular gym seeks help with legal costs to prevent eviction.
TJ’s has around 200 members aged from 6 to 80 and provides employment for 10 people. It runs a successful kickboxing club that has produced 4 national champions.
The Porter Club, which operates from the rear of the same building in Sandown Road and owns the building’s freehold, have written to the gym advising them that they are forfeiting the lease of TJ’s landlord, Mr Li. TJ’s have been named as co-defendants.
The purpose of the forfeiture is believed to be an attempt to repossess the entire building and therefore prevent TJ’s from operating lawfully.
A spokesperson for TJ’s gym has said:
“For over 30 years TJs Gym has offered a health and fitness community to Isle of Wight residents. We have provided classes for all ages and abilities and have created a space that is accessible to everyone. In 2016, we relocated from the Spithead Business Estate to our current address, 77 Sandown Road, Lake.
“Last week, we received a letter from LAWDIT, the lawyers acting for the Porter Club.
Article continues below this advertisement “Should the Porter Club be successful in their court case, we risk the building being taken and the gym folding entirely. Legal costs for TJs to fight this action are between £15K-£25K with no guarantee that this will be returned should we win the case.
“We are seeking donations – no matter how small – to help with the legal fees needed to fight our case in court to keep TJs gym open. Should the court fees be recovered, we will return all donations.
“This is a typical David and Goliath situation. The Porter Club has a considerable war chest of funds available to try and defeat us. We are a small business reliant upon our monthly membership subscriptions to survive. We cannot compete with the Porter Club financially without your help and support.”
Anyone wishing to contribute to TJ’s Gym legal fees can visit their GoFundMe page.
