{
  "id": 9396716,
  "title": "Barrecore and Boom Cycle owner suddenly shuts studios",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/barrecore-and-boom-cycle-owner-suddenly-shuts-studios",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-23T19:10:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC Business",
    "slug": "bbc-business",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckzdzeedmqm4o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Fitness company Common Bond, which operates high-end exercise studios under the Barrecore, Boom Cycle, and Kobox brands, has abruptly shut down all its London locations. The company, described as a wellness collective, charges £2,400 for a 12-month membership with unlimited classes. It also runs Reformcore and Triyoga brands. Common Bond's website is now inaccessible, and the BBC has reached out for comment.\n\nThe company emailed customers on Wednesday, announcing the closure of all its studios until further notice. In the email, the firm expressed regret for the inconvenience caused and apologized for any disruption. However, instructors have revealed that they were only informed of the closure on Wednesday and were not paid on time, with some learning of the decision on the day they were due to be paid.\n\nAn instructor stated that she and her colleagues were unaware of the closure and payment delay until the Wednesday email. She expressed frustration, noting that she had continued teaching her classes without any prior notice. The instructor also revealed that the company's director, Ben Allen, had recently left his position.\n\nCompany records show that Common Bond was incorporated in June of the previous year, and its most recent filings do not display any accounts. The only currently listed director is Gaspar Lipszyc, a Belgian national residing in Spain. Barrecore, one of the brands associated with Common Bond, specializes in barre workouts, a low-impact exercise that combines elements of Pilates, ballet, and yoga. The popularity of barre has surged in recent years, with celebrities like Pippa Middleton endorsing its benefits.",
  "summary": "Common Bond has emailed customers announcing its locations were closed \"until further notice\".",
  "key_points": [
    "Common Bond abruptly closes all London studios.",
    "Instructors unaware of closure until Wednesday email.",
    "Company director Ben Allen recently left his position."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC News",
        "title": "Barrecore and Boom Cycle owner suddenly shuts studios",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/barrecore-and-boom-cycle-owner-suddenly-shuts-studios-9398503",
        "published": "2026-09-23T19:10:22.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}