9Round franchisee notices uptake before lockdown

A 9Round franchisee in Canada has spoken about how customers have dealt with fitness goals during lockdown.

Erica Lynn, who runs 9Round Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada, was disappointed to learn she’d be forced to temporarily close the doors of her gym franchise business. In response to a second wave of coronavirus, many businesses in the region were asked to stop trading from 12:01am on Sunday 13th December.

Restaurants and bars offering a dine-in service, as well as hair salons and gyms, must all turn customers away. According to the Alberta government, the Covid-19 restrictions will be in force for at least four weeks, and throughout the Christmas period.

But 9Round franchise owner Erica said she noticed a rise in the number of customers visiting her gym in the day leading up to the introduction of the lockdown restrictions. People were keen to do as many workouts as they could before the branch closed to the public.

Now, Erica is concerned she’ll lose clients as well as revenue. Remembering previous restrictions, she explained,

“Because we were shut down for multiple months, it did prevent people from coming back, and the fact that the numbers are getting worse and people being scared [doesn’t help].”

During such a tough year for businesses, Erica is taking advantage of the resources on offer. Despite being disappointed to be asked to stop working even though she’s followed all the rules so far, she’s kept in contact with customers and acknowledged the government’s financial support packages.

“We do as much social media, sending emails and checking in as we can.”

Businesses across the fitness and retail industries are now looking forward to increased revenue potential in 2021, particularly now a Covid-19 vaccine is in the pipeline.