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COVID-19: Gym owner facing 拢67,000 fine says staying open was 'morally right thing to do'

Andreas Michli says he could not find a reason to close "other than there was legislation in place".

Zone Gym was closed on Wednesday after police stopped customers from entering
Image: Zone Gym was closed on Wednesday after police stopped customers from entering
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A gym owner facing a 拢67,000 fine after refusing to close during England's second lockdown says staying open was the "morally right" thing to do.

Andreas Michli, 34, who runs Zone Gym in north London, said he could not find a reason to close "other than there was legislation in place".

Allowing people to continue exercising "felt like the right thing to do socially, morally and scientifically", he said.

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His premises were finally closed on Wednesday after police stopped customers from entering, with officers "manned outside the gates (on) rotating shifts every two hours", he said.

Even then, Mr Michli said a few people managed to "climb over walls and shift through little gaps to get in", although he admitted it was "pretty much empty".

Haringey Council, which has issued repeated fines against him, is seeking a closure order through the courts.

In addition to almost £70,000 in fines, Mr Michli claims the local authority is seeking £7,500 in court costs.

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Haringey Council leader Joseph Ejiofor said attempts had been made to communicate with Mr Michli on a number of occasions, but he "unfortunately decided to remain open despite repeated warnings".

Mr Ejiofor added: "As a result, we were left with no choice but to issue fixed penalty notices and have obtained a closure notice."

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Despite lockdown being an "extremely difficult time" for local businesses, Mr Ejiofor said the "law is the law and it applies to everyone".

Gyms are on the list of venues which must close under restrictions which began on 5 November in England.

Mr Michli said he would decide when to reopen following a court hearing next week.