Energy bill fears for gym's disabled users

Jacqui Oakes said Impact Community Gym would "struggle" to cover higher energy costs this winter

A gym that provides sessions for disabled clients will struggle to cover higher energy bills this winter, one of its managers said.

Impact Community Gym, in Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent, opened a decade ago as a boxing centre and now also offers fitness sessions for disabled clients.

Jacqui Oakes, their disability and rehabilitation manager, said the gym, run on a not-for-profit basis, had to ration its heating last winter and would “definitely” need to do so again this year.

Energy bills are set to rise in October with a typical household's annual bill rising by £149 under a new price cap.

Unlike households, businesses are not covered by an energy price cap but the energy regulator Ofgem said the increase was the result of higher prices on the international energy market.

Ms Oakes said the gym had to limit their heating to 3-4 hours a day last winter.

She added this was particularly difficult for disabled clients who often attended the gym for a half-day or full-day session rather than a quick workout.

“Even last winter we struggled to pay the bills. And now they are going up even more, we will need to cut even more,” she said.

“It puts a downer on everything.”

Ms Oakes said she was also concerned about whether disabled clients would be able to afford to keep coming to the gym if their energy bills at home went up.

The gym has started approaching local businesses about sponsoring sessions for these clients.

“Looking after yourself is classed as a luxury and it’s not a luxury. Looking after yourself is really important,” Ms Oakes said.