Two-year wait for Motorcise money, warning

HUNDREDS of pensioners who lost money when a popular exercise centre closed may have to wait up to two years to find out if they will get any back.

Debt-ridden Motorcise, in Bridgegate, shut its doors overnight, owing many of its 300 elderly members as much as £270 each.

Gym members had been asked by proprietor Trisha Major to pay their annual subscriptions early to get a discount—only to see the centre close shortly after.

Now the man handling the firm’s liquidation says that it could take between one and two years before the finances are sorted out.

Adrian Graham, liquidator for Hamilton Insolvency Practitioners, said: “We don’t know how long it will take but the average period for a liquidation to be finalised is between one and two years.

“The company did not have any assets. Anyone who has lost money should contact us.

“We already have had some people contact us to make claims as creditors.

“How long it takes to sort out depends on the debt recovery process.”

Motorcise, trading as Major Fitness Ltd and run by 48-year-old Mrs Major, went into voluntary liquidation in January because it could not continue to trade, as a result of its debts.

Scores of pensioners contacted the Advertiser saying they felt “cheated” after paying out hundreds of pounds. But they have been unable to contact Mrs Major since the closure.

Others have been considering legal action to get their money back.

Angela Foster (53), of Rockingham, who lost £225, has filled in a proof of debt form but said that she held no hope of seeing her money. “I’m still really angry,” she added. “I contacted the administrator as soon as I heard the news and they sent me the form to fill in.

“I returned it straight away but as expected I’ve heard nothing back and I don’t hold much hope.

“A lot of people have lost a lot of money and are still so disappointed that the whole thing has happened.”

Mrs Major told the Advertiser she was “devastated” over rumours that she had “done a runner” with OAPs’ membership money.

She said she asked members to pay their annual fees up front for a month to stave off closure of the centre.

If you have lost money through the closure of Motorcise, call Hamiltons Insolvency Practitioners on 0114 2683336.