TEN people have lost their jobs as the result of a ‘gyms war’ which is currently ongoing in Burnley and Padiham, town hall bosses have confirmed.

Council bosses and management at new arms-length Burnley Leisure Trust are having to share £154,000 in redundancy costs because of competition from low-cost gyms in the borough.

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Just last month the borough council revealed it had abandoned proposals to install a gym and fitness studio at its flagship new Prairie Sports Village development, as the likes of DW Fitness and Puregym had established footholds in the town centre.

Income levels have dropped for the leisure trust, which runs St Peter’s and Padiham leisure centres, and will manage the sports village when it is completed, councillors said.

Councillors are now being asked to release £218,000 to the trust to meet an anticipated budget shortfall.

This includes an £83,000 contingency fund and £135,000 in ‘underspends’ elsewhere for the authority.

Resources official David Donlan said: “The council has sought and been given assurance from Burnley Leisure that this restructuring will have no adverse impact on service provision, workforce characteristics and service standards.”

Councillor Howard Baker said: “We are satisfied officers in the leisure trust are implementing budget savings proposals with the aim of achieving a balanced budget in 2015/16.

“This includes the trust carrying out a restructure and making some redundancies. The council is also continuing to work with the leisure trust to monitor the overall position.”

And Councillor Bea Foster, leisure cabinet member, commenting on the additional help being offered, added: “Establishing Burnley Leisure at the very moment a number of cut-price gyms had set up has proved very challenging.

“But people recognise and value Burnley Leisure’s unique place in the market. “ “St Peter’s Centre and Padiham Leisure are the places in this borough that families and everyone can go to swim, and take part in sports and activities from five-a-side to badminton.”

The final decision on assistance to the leisure trust will be made when the borough council’s executive meets on Monday, February 16.