Unpaid rent case involving Pure Fitness sparks concern among Hong Kong members

It has demanded about HK$13.59 million (US$1.74 million) for five months’ rent, management charges and other miscellaneous fees.

Gym member Eric Wang, a healthcare worker who has been with the chain for eight years, is among those whose confidence in the company has been affected.

“We [are concerned] it may affect the operation of the company as well as our membership,” Wang, who is in his 30s, said.

Wang said he planned to terminate his gym membership, which had 1½ years remaining, because of the rental issue, as well as his disappointment over the company’s handling of his complaint on a separate matter.

Finance worker Jayden Chan, a Pure Fitness member for more than 10 years, also voiced concern about the company.

Chan, 35, said he recently spent more than HK$20,000 to renew a two-year gym contract which would come into effect next month, but that there was little he could do about it despite his concern.

“What action can I take? I can’t ask for a refund without legitimate reasons after signing a contract,” Chan said.

“The only thing I can do is to keep a copy of my contract and hope to seek compensation through the Small Claims Tribunal if anything happens.”

Chan, who uses the gym three to four days a week, said he noticed the company had been offering more free trials as promotions in the past year in bid to attract more customers.

He also said an arrangement giving non-members access to around 20 centres during Lunar New Year had left members, including himself, dissatisfied.

“It showed the company was desperate and would welcome anyone to join,” Chan said.

But another member, who only identified herself as Miki, struck a more positive note and said she believed Pure Fitness was not on the verge of closure.

The 34-year-old teacher, who has been with the fitness chain for almost five years, said she had never come across any hard sell by the company for its services.

She also said she had noticed new equipment in the Lee Theatre branch in Causeway Bay, which she usually visited.

In response to Post inquiries on Thursday, the company said the ongoing legal proceedings would not affect the normal services and operations of Pure Group branches.

“During this time, the Pure team is focusing on caring for members and supporting one another,” it said.

Pure told the Post on Wednesday that it had been having “landlord discussions over the last few months” as it pushed for rental reviews during what it called a challenging economic cycle.

“Most landlords have been understanding and supportive with deals agreed. However, as in this exceptional case, some are yet to be closed out,” the company said.

It said it was inappropriate to comment further on the case as judicial proceedings were continuing.

The company’s website shows that the centre in Central is still operating and is among 21 fitness studios in the Pure franchise.

The Consumer Council said it would not comment on complaints relating to individual traders.

The watchdog said in the case of shop closures, consumers who prepaid for services using a credit card could request a chargeback for the unused portion.

It urged consumers to think carefully before making any purchase and that prepayment amounts should be kept to a minimum to reduce losses in the event of a business closing.

Records, such as quotations, contracts or receipts, should also be properly preserved to serve as evidence in the event of a dispute, the council added.