Gym Owner Fined £30,000 For Opening During Lockdown Says He Won't Pay

A gym owner who has been fined three times for repeatedly opening premises despite Covid restrictions has said he won't pay up following allegations of a Downing Street Christmas party last year.

Steven Todd has been ordered to pay a total of £30,000 for keeping his business, Reps gym in Preston, Lancs, open during lockdown.

Speaking to the publication, he said he won't be paying the fines, explaining: "How can they have a party when they want all of us lot to go around with masks in the shops? 

“It’s like a two-tier system. There’s rules for us and rules for them.

“I thought there was laws for us all but it doesn’t seem to be the case and that’s now very fair.”

He went on: "If you’re making legislation then you should be following it and setting an example, not flouting it. You can’t expect us to.

"Last Christmas, no-one was allowed in anyone’s house - that’s not right. You can’t say that and then have parties in Downing Street? It’s 100 percent unfair.”

After being issued fines for breaching lockdown, Mr Todd was arrested by officers during a police raid on 10 March 2021.

Lancashire Police said ten people were also fined £200 each for breaching lockdown regulations.

Chief Inspector Sue Bushell said the force had taken 'robust action' over the breach. She said at the time: "As the restrictions are easing we are keen to remind people that we need to continue to act in accordance with the regulations as they stand and we will continue to take robust action on any individuals who are not adhering to them.

“We must stress that while we are continuing to spend most of our time dealing with crime and keeping people safe, breaches of Covid regulations take us away from that. 

“We continue to be immensely grateful to those who are following the law and are doing their bit to keep everybody safe.”

Mr Todd had been visited several times by officers and claimed he kept the gym open to offer services free of charge to boost clients' mental health.