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'More than 150 people helped me to rebuild my gym'

Charlotte ColesSouth of England
Josh Baines A group of people sat surrounded by gym equipment and in front of a sign which says 'The Atrium Health Club'Josh Baines
The Atrium Health Club reopened on 21 February after 150 people turned out to help after the fire

A gym which was forced to close following a suspected arson attack has reopened thanks to more than 150 volunteers who came together to help rebuild it.

The Atrium Health Club in Reading suffered the fire in the early hours of 30 January.

The independent gym, which serves more than 1,000 members, reopened on 21 February following an "intensive recovery effort" led by staff, members and local supporters.

Thames Valley Police said its enquiries are continuing into the incident, which it is investigating as arson, however no arrests have been made.

CCTV footage of a suspected arson attack at The Atrium Health Club in Reading

Director Josh Baines said the early days following the fire had been filled with uncertainty.

"On the way to the gym that morning we genuinely thought the whole building might be up in flames and that it could be the end of the business," he said.

"As an independent company with our own finances tied up in the gym, that was terrifying."

The Atrium Health Club A man wearing a black hoodie stood inside a gym grinning into the cameraThe Atrium Health Club
Director Josh Baines said seeing 150 people queue up to help repaint the gym was "unbelievable"

As soon as the gym asked for help repainting the space, the local community responded and more than 150 volunteers arrived over a single weekend to help repaint and restore it.

Among the stories from the rebuild effort was a three-year-old donating 50p from his pocket money, members bringing food for staff working long hours, professional painters volunteering their labour, and families arriving together to help clean and paint the space.

Josh Baines A man stood in front of a mirror holding a paint brush up to the ceiling Josh Baines
It took the gym three weeks to recover from the fire and reopen for business

"Seeing 150 people queue up to help repaint the gym was unbelievable," said Baines. "That was one of the most joyful and memorable moments we've ever experienced."

Baines said the experience had confirmed how important the gym had become within the local community.

He said: "When we first built the gym, it took four months. After the fire, we rebuilt it in three weeks.

"One of our goals from the beginning was to create a place people would miss if it wasn't here. During those weeks, we realised how true that really was."

Thames Valley Police said no-one had sustained any injuries in the incident.

The force is appealing for anyone with information about the two people in the CCTV footage to come forward.

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