Fitness chain Hard Candy: Many members are likely to lose their money – Tagesspiegel

New bad news for customers of insolvent Fitness chain Hard Candy: The provisional insolvency administrator Torsten Martini no longer expects the continued operation of the nine Berliner Studios by Jopp AG. “It is according to the current state is not realistic that the currently closed stores to reopen,” Martini told the Tagesspiegel. Rather negotiated the liquidator, who works for the Berlin law firm Leonhardt Rattunde, currently with potential buyers about a takeover several or individual studios. The problem: the money of many customers is likely to be lost.

prepayment might be lost

Many have long-term contracts, which they have paid in advance. Among them are numerous contracts with lifetime duration. “The money is probably gone,” feared Martini. Because of the prepayment only the brothers Jürgen and Ralf Jopp, the previous owner of the studio, benefits. Although Martini wants to use in discussion with potential buyers for the customer, but the chances of success are low. “I can not imagine that the acquirer customers have for years enjoy free me,” says the manager. Affected would then only be able to reclaim their advance payments or a portion thereof in the bankruptcy proceedings.

But the prospects to be paid from the bankruptcy estate, are rather poor. The Jopp AG has substantial debts. Vattenfall owes you a six-figure sum for unpaid electricity bills, the owner of the studio waiting for their rents. The cleaning company Salja Blitz cleaning of buildings, which has cleaned four Hard Candy Studios in the spring, has indicated an outstanding balance of 35,000 euros. “The nearly driven ourselves into bankruptcy,” Associate Nicole Aethner told the Tagesspiegel. In contrast, the existing assets are clear. Many of the units are leased, also may initially the owner access to the equipment. The workers of Jopp AG are preferably paid customers at the end of the scale.

Two studios are still open

The brothers Jürgen and Ralf Jopp operate in Berlin nine Hard Candy- and four Super Women studios. The entrepreneurs themselves have asked insolvency applications in early July, the process is still preliminary, expected on September 1, the final insolvency proceedings to be opened. From the Hard Candy studios are currently open in Berlin only two, a woman Studio in Bergmannstraße in Kreuzberg and a mixed club in the Europa Center. Both clubs are to remain open to the possibility, says Martini.

the beginning: pop singer Madonna and the entrepreneur Jürgen (l) and Ralf Jopp open in 2013 the first HC-Club in Berlin Photo:. picture alliance / dpa

No donors

Actually, Jopp brothers wanted to open all the studios again, but the search for a financial backer seems to make more difficult than imagined in sight. More likely, therefore, is that the studios are taken over by a third party. The talks run. Martini assumes that there are prospects for all studios to 1 September. Also, most landlords are likely to have an interest that continue to run the club. Many of the studios are new, the rooms have been designed from the outset as gyms. An alternative use is problematic, especially in the clubs, which are equipped with pools. In the Hard Candy chain are some. In terms of facilities and the offer prices were very low last. Memberships are offered from 29 euros per month, comparable offers from other competitors start at about twice. All Hard Candy Studios are conveniently located, in expensive places like the Friedrichstrasse, the Mall of Berlin or the Kurfürstendamm.

Madonna: The intellectual focal point collects royalties, but is silent on the development Photo:. dpa

The brothers Jopp had to the radiance of the Hard Candy-inventor Madonna set. The pop star advertises the studios that take their name from a Madonna album. 2013, when the first Hard Candy studio was opened in Berlin, Madonna was there. Otherwise, the singer has made scarce. Although Madonna collected monthly license fees, can be locally but do not look. “We had honestly been wishing us a bit more commitment,” the Jopp brothers had recently complained in the Tagesspiegel interview. The global expansion of Hard Candy Fitness is not go as intended. “Apart from our studios only one club in Toronto has opened, and is to again. We hoped and believed that Hard Candy Fitness is a worldwide brand with hundreds Studios and the members can work anywhere in the world, but unfortunately this is not happening, “said the brothers.

since June the studios

are

the members have long worried about their contracts. In June made from one day to the numerous studios tightbecause Vattenfall had turned off the electricity. Exercisers were surprised by cold. “Right in the price was suddenly closing,” says a customer. “I had trouble at all aufzubekommen the locker.” Since then, the user save to make ends meet. Many make a break from training, others go into the open clubs. The studio in the Europa Center is huge, operate the equipment. However, there piles of garbage on the weekend because wastebaskets not emptied. Meanwhile grab even visitors to help themselves. “I am among those who twice a week the hose grab to eject at least toilets, sauna, spa hall and showers, Dettol and kitchen roll for equipment,” a Hard Candy Member Tagesspiegel. In Bergmannstraße the showers are in need of renovation, spa and swimming pool are closed.

insolvency dates not from

Many people have denounced in recent weeks, but many exercisers hope that their contracts continue – probably in vain. Liquidator Martini currently waived charges – even those who have not been canceled. The administration currently have no overview, “I want to prevent that will be charged to customers who have terminated,” says Martini. The problem: Fresh money is currently not in more

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