Brentford Gym Owner Vows to Fight to Return
CityFit was evicted from its premises in Westlink House last month
The CityFit team before the closure
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June 5, 2026
CityFit Brentford, the independent gym that grew into a thriving community hub on the Great West Road, is fighting for its future after being abruptly locked out of its premises at Westlink House in a dispute with the landlord.
The gym, founded and directed by Csilla Vegh who claims to have spent the past two years investing more than £200,000 in fitting out the site and installing over £250,000 worth of equipment, had built a membership of around 1,150 people. It had become a home for personal trainers, small businesses, sports teams and residents who relied on it not only for fitness but for social connection .
That came to a sudden halt in the early hours of Friday 22 May, when members arrived to find the doors locked, the entrances barricaded and access withdrawn without warning. The locks had been changed overnight, leaving staff, trainers and third-party operators unable to enter the building or retrieve their equipment.
The locked doors at the gym's premises and the possession notice posted on behalf of the landlord
The closure stems from a long-running dispute between CityFit and the landlord, Lower Richmond Properties. Issues under discussion included the size of the premises, rent levels, parking arrangements and the gym’s long-term viability following the arrival of a large budget competitor nearby. Whether the landlord’s re-entry was lawful remains a matter of ongoing legal argument.
For the founder, the consequences extend far beyond the business itself. Trainers have lost their workplace and income. Independent operators who rented space inside the gym have been cut off from their equipment and belongings. Members who depended on the gym for routine, rehabilitation or community support have been left without answers.
“CityFit was built over several years and served everyone from beginners and older adults to competitive athletes,” the owner said. “We supported local initiatives, sports teams and wellbeing projects. What concerns me most is the impact on the people who relied on us.”
Attempts to establish meaningful communication with the landlord have so far been limited, leaving the gym’s future uncertain. The founder says she is now fighting “pretty much alone” to regain access, secure the return of equipment and, if reopening proves impossible, at least ensure a fair and orderly closure .
Lower Richmond Properties has been approached for comment.
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