A GYM owner has called on the government to think again about closing gyms during lockdown, highlighting two deaths that he says show the importance of looking after mental health.

Kristian Eacock who with twin Jason runs Revolution Fitness gyms in Worcester and Malvern, said two people they know who were connected to the gym, were understood to have taken their own lives.

“I know people question when we say about mental health, and may say ‘it is only a gym’,” he said.

“I’m not of course saying it is just the loss of the gym, but it can be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. People come every day, enjoy the health and social side, by making themselves feel better it can be enough.”

Mr Eacock spoke in support of a national petition on the government’s website, to keep gyms open through lockdown, that has already reached more than 500,000 signatures. Mr Eacock said gyms like theirs had gone “above and beyond” with safety measures.

“We know transmission rates are low so there is no evidence - statistically we are not a risk,” he said.

“We are talking about the health of people, the number of Covid deaths and we are keeping people fit and healthy (through this crisis). We offer help with the solution, yet we are one of the industries forced to shut.

“What happens after lockdown - we will be able to survive but a lot of gyms won’t be able to.”

Meanwhile David Holdsworth, coach of Worcester City Ladies but who also is supportive of the club’s mens and womens youth teams, said he was also backing another petition to keep grassroots football going during lockdown.

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“The Premier League can still play, and I know they have more testing, but they are still people playing football,” he said.

“It seems to me they are not trusting parents, they are making out they are not going to look after their kids. Parents would not take them if they are or their child had Covid.

“The coaches do a fantastic job (to make it Covid secure). We are not training indoors.

“And there is the mental health side - we want children keeping active, we don’t want them just stuck in their bedrooms. Playing on a Sunday is the highlight of their week.”

Worcester MP Robin Walker said: “I completely understand (with these petitions) the problem we have is the changing rooms and facilities.

I’m personally sympathetic, but with the gyms in particular there is a risk with people in a confined space, breathing more heavily than usual, and that being a factor spreading the virus."