MEMBERS of a popular Stourbridge gym that closed suddenly and without any warning have reacted angrily, claiming they have been left out of pocket.

The windows of the Revolution Fitness Centre are blocked out - with a sign on the door saying "Gym closed due to refurbishment. Open again Monday 27/07/15 as per normal opening hours".

However, it is still shut now and a message on the gym's Facebook page - posted on July 27 at 12.31pm - told members with direct debit payments how they could cancel their membership.

Jennifer Higgs, the mother of 19-year-old Stourbridge College student Joe Higgs, who had scraped together £200 to join the gym under a special offer in May, said: "I think it's appalling business ethic.

"It's a gym used by youngsters, many of them college or university students, and my son paid for his membership himself.

"He had been using it regularly.

"I am sure the staff did not know what was happening but they sold a service to my son and others that has not been delivered."

Mrs Higgs, of Prescot Road, Stourbridge, added: "It makes me so cross that they can do that to kids."

A fitness instructor, who does not wish to be named, said: "Staff have been left very much in the dark.

"I had a message on July 25 to say my class couldn't go ahead.

"The young lad who told me said they were emptying the gym and it was closing down and I've had no contact since.

"They didn't owe me any money but I've got some equipment stored there that I cannot get at.

"I am sure other members of staff are owed money.

"It's atrocious - you can't take people's money and pull the plug and not advise people what is going on."

Gym member Holly Parkes said in an email to the Stourbridge News: "I took out a three-month promotional membership with them in June and as such have been left with over one month gym time outstanding, which I have already paid for and now cannot use."

Another woman, who does not wish to be named, said her daughter joined the gym under a special £45 offer for three months, just a week before it closed, to get fit during the school holidays.

"At no point did anyone tell her that they might be closing," said the mother.

"The gym's owners obviously knew they were in trouble and would close, yet have taken people's hard earned money and signed people up.

"The emails are bouncing back and there is no response on the phone."

Zumba teacher Emma Jones has placed a sign on the doors of the gym saying: "Due to unforeseen circumstances I will no longer be instructing my classes here".

She added that she will be at Thorns Community College, Quarry Bank, on Monday evenings at 6.30pm for anyone who wishes to continue Zumba with her.

Miss Jones, aged 24, of Amblecote, said the closure had "come as a shock", although she had noticed that fewer members had been attending the centre, possibly due to competition from other new gyms in the area.

"It's a shame for anyone who had lost out after the gym closed," added Miss Jones, who has managed to contact the owner of Revolution Fitness and has now been paid money she had been owed for recent classes.

The gym's website still invites members, although its Facebook page is no longer available.

On the website is a section saying the gym is co-owned by Warren Dyson, "owner of two other fitness centres - with over 15 years of experience in the fitness industry".

The Stourbridge News tried to contact Mr Dyson at a gym where he is known to have links in Birmingham but he has not responded to messages left for him to explain what has happened at the Stourbridge centre.

The Facebook message about direct debit memberships told people they could cancel by calling Debit Finance on 01908 422000 or Harlands Group on 01444 449166.

The message concluded: "Sorry once again."