A Bradford district business owner has spoken of his relief at reopening his gym’s spa area following a fire that left him on the brink.

In November 2021, fire crews from four stations were sent out to Energy Mill gym on Well Croft in Shipley to deal with the blaze.

The incident, which caused distress to many customers, was down to an “electrical fault” in the sauna.

“When someone gives you a Facetime call in the middle of the day and you see your building on fire, it is not the best news,” said owner Chris Gaskin.

“It was quite devastating. You never know the full extent of the damage until the fire brigade has cleaned it up.

“The fire service deemed it as an electrical fault with the previous sauna stove. It overheated and then set alight. It was around £200,000 worth of damage. The insurance covered half of it and the rest we had to cover.”

The fire has had a huge impact on the business, losing members in a financial climate that has been difficult, to say the least.

Chris added: “We lost a third of our members. If the insurance did not pay, it would have been curtains.

“Most gyms are losing members right now anyway but with this on top of it, we are just about batting even now where it should be a profitable business.

“We are usually at around 1,500 members and now we are down to around 900. We have had no changing rooms or spa area so it is understandable.

“But the fact we maintained 900 members with no changing rooms is a testament to the gym. It could have been worse.

“I feel over the next year we will do better but we not as well as we should do due to the economic climate.”

14 months on, a new three-tier sauna, which seats ten people, changing rooms, a large steam room and a red light therapy room have all been installed.

“It is absolutely amazing now. People are saying it is too good for Shipley,” Chris said.

“The previous changing rooms and spa were okay, functional, not bad, but we have decided to go all in and give the community a facility they deserve.

“Now the changing rooms and spa area are equivalent to a top-end hotel.”