Viva Leisure sheds more than 1,000 staff in 48 hours

Leading fitness facility operator Viva-Leisure has been forced to stand-down or let go more than 1,000 staff members in a 48 hour period this week as Government measures to halt the spread of the Coronavirus halted the operations of fitness clubs, gyms and indoor sports centres across the country.

In a Stock Market update, the Canberra-based company advised on its current progress and future operations following, as Viva Leisure Managing Director and Chief Executive, Harry Konstantinou explained “the decision by Government to force close all gyms in Australia with no idea on when they will reopen”.

Writing on LinkedIn, Konstantinou stated “this week our team went from 1,050 staff members, to 42, in 48 hours.

“We simply have no work for the 1,000+ staff that we had to stand-down or let go. These are staff members who have worked their hearts out for the company and have helped many hundreds of thousands of others live a healthier, happier and more active lifestyle. These real people have had the world come crushing down on them, not because something they have done, and not because something management at Viva Leisure has done, but because of the actions of Government.”

Referring to US President Donald Trump's comment that 'we cannot let the cure be worse than the problem itself', Konstantinou (pictured) continued “it is important to save lives, but (the Government has) now ruined the economy for five+ years. Unemployment will rise to over 11% if Westpac is correct in their estimations, and 800,000+ jobs lost, including significant amount of small businesses.”

Viva Leisure's market announcement, charts how the group, which operates the Club Lime, hit republic and GroundUp brands, has faced the Federal Government's Coronavirus restrictions over the past week, closing its facilities on 23rd March.

It shows how visits to its clubs began to fall in the second week of February and how, with 96,402 members as of 29th February, 89,077 have had their memberships suspended automatically, while 7,968 have requested voluntary suspension.

It also shows how the group is adapting with its Club Lime LMOD (Les Mills on Demand) and Club Lime Workouts on Demand apps, as well as with live classes broadcast via Facebook live and YouTube.

These services cost $4 a week and Viva Leisure forecasts that 50,000 members will take up the offer while facilities remain closed.

As of the beginning of March, Viva Leisure operated in 75 locations, with 21 sites set to open and 12 locations under negotiation

On his LinkedIn message, Konstantinou concluded “stay positive people, I know someone out there must know what they are doing.”