The gym 24/7 Fitness in Norwich is to close blaming 'increased competition and overhead costs'.

Eastern Daily Press: PureGym's general manager Jason Elves and colleague Matt Culliton when it opened in Castle Quarter. Pic: ArchantPureGym's general manager Jason Elves and colleague Matt Culliton when it opened in Castle Quarter. Pic: Archant

The gym, in Wherry Road, Riverside, has been taken over by Pure Gym.

In a statement published on its website, 24/7 said it is not currently selling new memberships because it is closing on November 15 "for several weeks of refurbishment and rebranding".

Members have now been informed that "the site has been sold to Pure Gym".

MORE: Fears of closure on the high street of another 'iconic brand'.

Eastern Daily Press: 24/7 Fitness gym in Norwich. Pic: Archant library24/7 Fitness gym in Norwich. Pic: Archant library

A spokeswoman at 24/7 said members would not automatically be transferred over to Pure but would need to re-join.

The monthly cost at Pure is less than 24/7, with current memberships costing £18.99 at Pure compared with £21.99 although some people on older memberships at £17.99 could end up paying slightly more.

The spokeswoman said: "From November 15 we will cease trading as 24/7 Fitness."

Pure Gym currently has two Norwich gyms, in Aylsham Road and a recently-opened site in Castle Quarter.

Offering a no-frills service and some memberships as low as £10.99 a month, the Leeds-based firm is Britain's largest gym chain, being the first to gain a million members. It recently stated its plans to open 300 new gyms by 2020. The company saw 30 new gyms opening last year in the UK and revenue increase by 15% from the end of 2017 to the end of last year.

24/7 Fitness has 15 gyms nationwide with one in Wisbech which is not believed to be affected by the rebranding.