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PRIVACY
Economic Development

Midlands entrepreneur backs national 'Work Out to Help Out' campaign to encourage people back to the gym

Mo Chaudry runs a number of leisure and fitness brands across the Midlands

Mo Chaudry (right) and Mo Iqbal inside M Club in Stoke-on-Trent

The entrepreneur behind a number of leisure and fitness brands is backing a national 'Work Out to Help Out' campaign to encourage people back to the gym after lockdown.

Mo Chaudry - who runs Waterworld and M Club spa and fitness in Stoke-on-Trent among others - is one of 200,000 people across the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ who have signed a petition urging the Government to fund a 'Work Out to Help Out' scheme.

It is hoped the scheme will work in the same way the 'Eat Out to Help Out' scheme in the summer to entice customers back to pubs and restaurants - by encouraging people to visit gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools.

The petition, which was set up by Health Club Magazine Editor Liz Terry, states: "We want the government to recognise the importance of gyms, health clubs, leisure centres and swimming pools in empowering people to look after their health and stay fit and for them to open first as we come out of lockdown.

"We're also calling for government to fund a Work Out to Help Out scheme.

"Gyms are an essential service in underpinning the health of the nation.

"Activity levels fell dramatically during 2020 lockdowns, as people could not get to their gym to exercise safely.

"The government opened pubs before gyms and spent £500m on the Eat Out to Help Out scheme which encouraged unhealthy behaviour in a health crisis. The virus is more serious for people who are overweight and unfit. The focus this time must be on health and wellbeing and getting people active."