A PROBE surrounding a Southampton gym that opened during lockdown has been dropped.
Spartans Gym remained open despite Government regulations ordering businesses across the county to close.
Fitness fanatics could be spotted coming and going from the site in Millbank Street throughout lockdown.
The business had faced legal action from Southampton City Council for the alleged breaches earlier this year and towards the end of 2020.
However, the local authority has now revealed it has dropped its investigation and no further action will be taken.
The decision was made following legal advice on the "likelihood of a successful prosecution".
A team of council workers and police officers raided the venue in January closing it for flouting covid rules.
Meanwhile, Josh Gosling, who was believed to be the manager, was hauled before Southampton Magistrates' Court and charged with two counts of failing to comply with reasonable instruction given by a relevant person in England.
The “passionate gym member” denied the accusations against him and stressed he was neither the owner nor manager of Spartans.
He was due to stand trial in March but the case against him was dropped.
Throughout the investigation, confusion has surrounded who owns and manages the gym in the Northam area of Southampton.
Papers on the Companies House website listed Dean Little as the Company Director of Spartans Gym Southampton Limited.
He was appointed as a director on July 1 last year, based on a file received by the Government agency.
In a recent statement, a spokesperson for Southampton City Council, said: "Southampton City Council took action, with the police to close Spartans Gym in January 2021 and enforce the Health Protection Regulations by forcibly entering the premises and securing the entrance. The objective was compliance and ensuring the gym was closed to reflect the Health Protection Regulations of the time – that primary aim was achieved.
"The Health Protection Regulations have been subject to amendment during the pandemic and gyms are currently permitted to operate.
"We undertook an investigation into potential offences relating to the operation of the gym in January 2021 and on the information we have to date and the receipt of legal advice on the likelihood of a successful prosecution, the Council will be taking no further action at this time in respect of this matter."
The Daily Echo has attempted to contact Spartans for comment but has received no reply.
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