Stapleford: Owner says gym 'devastated' by flooding

On Friday, the team tried to save the kit and stop water coming in, but the levels kept rising

A co-owner of a gym in Nottinghamshire has said flooding has left his business "devastated".

Tatham's Powerhouse gym in Stapleford flooded on Friday, and the situation worsened on Saturday, with water reaching waist height at one point.

Sam Tatham, who owns the gym with his brother Jack, says their insurance company will not pay out and they are calling for help from the community.

A friend of the owners has set up a GoFundMe page.

The damage costs are estimated to be "at least tens of thousands" of pounds

He said on Saturday the flooding "was like a swimming pool and by Sunday morning it had cleared".

Mr Tatham told BBC Radio Nottingham: "It has been a couple of the hardest days I can imagine to date. It absolutely devastated the gym and the community around it.

"The insurance unfortunately won't pay out."

He added a friend had set up the fundraising page to help them out financially, as the business insurance has a flood exclusion clause, which he said was not made clear to them when they took out the policy.

He said because it was classed as an Act of God, the insurers would not pay out.

The Association of British Insurers says an Act of God is an event that is not the fault of any individual, such as a natural disaster.

Jack and Sam Tatham thanked gym members who have been helping with the clean-up operation

Mr Tatham said other than the fundraising page, they had not had any financial help.

He estimated the damage costs to the gym, which is in Bessell Lane, to be "at least tens of thousands" of pounds.

Mr Tatham said: "Obviously me and Jack are going to have to take a lot of the rack for this.

"Gym owners know that as gyms you don't earn a massive amount financially, you do it for the love of it. We opened this gym up in hard Covid times to help people mentally get through."

On Wednesday, heaters were helping to dry out the gym

He said they would need new flooring and some new equipment, but were hoping to reopen on Monday.

A number of gym members have been down to help with the clean-up operation.

Mr Tatham added: "I want to thank everyone who has helped and supported us through this tough time. We have a great community of people."

Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail].