Blow for Burnley workers as DW Sports store closes

The company, which has an outlet in St James's Street in Burnley town centre, revealed that it will enter administration, putting 1,700 jobs at risk.

Chief executive Martin Long said: "As a consequence of COVID-19, we found ourselves in a position where we were mandated by government to close down both our retail store portfolio and our gym chain in its entirety for a protracted period, leaving us with a high fixed-cost base and zero income.

"The decision to appoint administrators has not been taken lightly but will give us the best chance to protect viable parts of the business, return them to profitability, and secure as many jobs as possible."

DW Sports had already closed 25 of its stores, and the firm said its remaining 50 retail sites would "all be moving into closing down sales from today".

The DW Sports website will cease trading with immediate effect.

The company said it would work with administrators to save as many gyms as possible, but sadly all its stores will close. Fitness First and its 43 gyms will not be affected.