Chelsea shock as club’s new regime axes its posh gym

The plush West London gym which adjoins Stamford Bridge football ground is popular with Chelsea’s players and staff, and counts the likes of hugh Grant and Lord Coe as members.

But the Chelsea health Club and Spa, previously owned by Chelsea’s former boss Roman Abramovich, has suddenly shut down, leaving members and staff in ‘a state of shock’.

The venue had been temporarily closed, initially because of Covid restrictions. But then the UK government placed sanctions on Russian oligarchs following the invasion of Ukraine, and Chelsea was hit hard. The club was unable to sell tickets or merchandise, and the shutters remained down at the gym.

however, after the Blues were sold to a consortium led by 48- year- old American billionaire Todd Boehly in a deal worth £4.25 billion in May, it was thought that things would start to improve.

So nobody was expecting to receive an email this week that read: ‘I am writing to inform you that the Chelsea health Club and Spa will not be reopening for business.

‘ With this in mind, all existing memberships are concluded with immediate effect. Throughout August, we will be processing refunds due for those with membership fees paid beyond our closure.’ One disgruntled former employee tells me: ‘We’re all in a state of shock. No one comes out of this well. Both members and staff have been kept in the dark for months. We had high hopes for the new owner but it seems that he is keen to wipe the slate clean from the Abramovich years.’

As one of London’s more exclusive spas, annual membership was upwards of £ 2,500, plus a joining fee of at least £500.

It was the favoured post- match warmdown spot for Chelsea stars, and was regularly frequented by ex-players Frank Lampard and John Terry. Abramovich apparently had his own private changing room and sauna within the building.

It was also the setting for earpiecegate, when former manager Jose Mourinho sat out a touchline ban for Chelsea’s quarter-final with Bayern Munich in 2005.

he was rumoured to have been watching the game on TV at the gym while communicating with his assistant on the touchline, who allegedly had an earpiece under his hat.