Fitness industry leaders renew calls for sector VAT relief as new campaign launches

A string of gym bosses have lent their voices to the latest leisure sector campaign for VAT relief.

"Ditch the VAT on sport and fitness” is petitioning the Government to scrap the 20% tax on gym equipment and memberships.

The hospitality sector has been granted the relief during the pandemic, but the leisure sector has not.  

The campaign argues VAT is both "discouraging participation in sport" and hindering the hard-hit sector from recovery post-lockdown.

Sandy Macaskill, founder at Barry’s UK, said: "This is something I’ve been pushing for since the summer.

"We’ve seen hospitality benefit from the Eat Out to Help Out campaign and VAT relief, but no such support for our sector. I am fully behind any campaign that seeks to provide much needed support to help our industry get back on its feet."

Former Fitness First boss Colin Waggett is now chief executive of luxury gym group Third Space, which has already lost millions since March due to the pandemic.

He said: "The gym sector was closed for a longer period of time than restaurants and other hospitality venues, and during that time we had no opportunity for take away revenue.  

"Our need for financial support is at least as great, and a reduction in VAT would allow gym businesses to start repairing their battered finances once we are allowed to reopen."

Will Dean, the founder of Tough Mudder, said he is backing the effort because the move would "get more people moving to combat underlying health conditions” in the pandemic.

Ollie Chipp, founder of Battersea cycling studio static is behind the new campaign. He said: “The UK government has stated that reducing obesity and encouraging the nation’s fitness is a top priority, but has failed to back this up with action."