Portsmouth gym '˜blames Brexit' for axing free towels

A national newspaper said the notice at the Holiday Inn gym, Spirit Health Club, said: ‘We have been informed by our Head Office that starting from December 2016 we will unfortunately no longer be handing out free towels upon entry.

‘The reason the Company has decided to do this is because since the UK voted to leave the EU the pound has dropped significantly.

‘Each towel cost 50p per wash and we here at Spirit Portsmouth alone return an average of 200 soiled towels per day (this includes at least one hundred plus towels from the overnight hotel guests).

‘The Company has realised this will save over half a million pounds a year from their running costs.’

Una Herman, 64, told The Daily Telegraph: ‘It’s ridiculous to blame Brexit – especially when it’s a UK company they send the towels to be laundered.

‘I understand companies have to make a profit but for them to treat their members with such contempt beggars belief.’

The newspaper said Kew Green Hotels, owns the Holiday Inn Group, and said they launder more than a million towels.

Director of leisure, Justin Andrews, said: ‘We will be giving all our members a quality leisure bath sheet and will be withdrawing the issue of single-use towels provided for each club visit.’

He added the group was one of the last to offer free towels.