The closure of Shepton Mallet's leisure centre has left a void in the community's fitness and leisure facilities, affecting new and established businesses alike.

Among those impacted is Iron Ladies Fitness, a start-up focusing on ladies-only weight training classes.

Despite gaining over 60 members within just three months of operation, the business is struggling to find a permanent location within Shepton Mallet.

Alice Owen, the proprietor of Iron Ladies Fitness, said: "The search for a suitable venue in Shepton Mallet has been a rollercoaster. We've faced unrealistic leasing terms and demands from landlords, and the absence of local support for small businesses like ours is palpable."

In the face of such challenges, Alice is contemplating relocating the thriving business to the nearby city of Wells. "The decision weighs heavily on me. If a suitable location doesn't materialise soon, our only viable option may be moving to Wells. The prospect of leaving Shepton Mallet is disheartening, especially given the robust local demand for our services," she continued.

This individual predicament reflects a more extensive issue plaguing Shepton Mallet: the diminishing availability of local leisure facilities. With the leisure centre already closed, the potential departure of Iron Ladies Fitness would represent another blow to the community's recreational options.

Julia O'Connor, an active member of Iron Ladies Fitness said: "The challenges Alice is facing aren't unique; they're symptomatic of a larger issue in Shepton Mallet. As residents, we need to be concerned about what this means for our local leisure facilities, or the lack thereof, moving forward."

Julia's sentiment is echoed by other community members who feel that the loss of one facility can lead to a domino effect, leaving Shepton Mallet bereft of community-centric spaces. 

Alice also highlighted the ripple affect her potential move could have: "We're not just talking about a business relocating. This could impact the well-being of dozens of women in the community who rely on Iron Ladies Fitness for their physical health."

As the search for a suitable venue continues, Alice remains hopeful that a solution can be found to keep Iron Ladies Fitness in Shepton Mallet. She urges anyone with information or who can help to come forward: 

"We're not giving up. If you can help in any way, we'd love to hear from you."

If you can help to find a new homes for Iron Ladies, contact Alice on [email protected]