Cork fitness gym co-owned by Munster rugby legend Peter Stringer closes

A Cork fitness centre co-owned by Munster Rugby legend Peter Stringer has closed as it will be placed into voluntary liquidation.

F45 Elysian, based in Cork’s Elysian Tower, opened for memberships in 2022, based in a 3,150 sq ft unit at the Cork landmark.

An email to members late last Sunday night, signed by directors Paul Buckley and Peter Stringer, said memberships were ending “with immediate effect”.

"We are writing to let you know that, with great regret, the gym will be closing with immediate effect. The company that operates the gym, Brisbane Fitness Investment Company Limited, is unable to continue trading and will be placed into creditors' voluntary liquidation,” the email stated.

“Your membership will end with immediate effect, and no further payments will be taken from you. If you pay by direct debit or standing order, you may also wish to cancel it with your bank. 

"If you have paid for your membership in advance for a period beyond the closing date, you may have a claim as a creditor of the company.

“The liquidator, once appointed, will deal with all claims, and details of how to make a claim will be provided in due course. Please note that any payment to creditors will depend on the funds available in the liquidation. If you have any personal belongings at the gym, please let us know.

“This was not the outcome we had hoped for, and we are very sorry for any inconvenience this causes. We would like to sincerely thank you for your support and loyalty to the gym, and for being part of our community."

The business is a franchise of the Australian global fitness group F45, which has thousands of gym franchises operating around the world. Other F45 facilities in Ireland are unaffected by Monday’s announcement.

Mr Stringer and his family moved to Dubai four years ago but are regularly back home in Ireland.