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Bootcampers oppose ‘unfair’ new fees for classes on Downs
Bootcamp class attendees are opposing “unfair” new licence fees for personal trainers on the Downs, which they say threaten the survival of independent businesses.
Personal trainers could soon be charged £900 a year for classes up to 20 people and £2,600 for groups larger than 20.
The licence fees are planned after concerns about the large size of some bootcamp classes and the loud music played. It’s unclear when they would be brought in, but a group of Bristol councillors and Merchant Venturers who are responsible for the Downs want to limit exercise classes.
If the potential fees is implemented, personal trainers could be charged £900 annually for classes of up to 20 people on the Downs – photo: Bristol HIIT
The Downs committee was due to discuss the potential new fees on Monday. However Downs manager, Luke Mackenzie, did not attend the committee meeting and so the fees will be discussed at the next scheduled meeting in January — leaving bootcampers on tenterhooks.
Ahead of the meeting, several exercise class attendees sent in written statements on the fees.
Jo Cameron said: “I attend regular bootcamps on the Downs and they have kept fit and mentally and physically fit since retiring from the NHS.
“They become an important part of my life. It is professionally run, and my fear is that licensing is too much and not in line with other wards.
“Each instructor has to pay for a licence in the same organisation, not just one licence per business, which makes no sense as they often may only take ad hoc classes and so are not financially viable. Potentially businesses [might be] unable to survive financially.”
Gabriella Russell added: “In an age of increasing social isolation, particularly as more people work from home, the bootcamp provides invaluable social connection, motivation, and mutual support. Many of us have made lasting friendships through the group — it has a profound positive impact on both physical and mental wellbeing.
“I have never felt stronger, fitter or happier than since I joined. It has given me a grounding and local community that I didn’t know I needed, but now completely depend on. I don’t know what I’d do if it was forced to close. The optics of imposing significant new fees on small, responsible local businesses — costs that will inevitably be passed on to participants — are not good.”
Another concern was that personal trainers would not be able to transfer their licences to other trainers. Some trainers occasionally need cover from another instructor so they can go on holiday for example, but under the non-transferable system this would add another £900 a year.
Rachel White is a personal trainer who has held bootcamp classes on the Downs for more than 13 years. In a written statement, she said her classes are held from 6.30am to 7.15am, with minimal impact on other users of the Downs, are far away from houses and never play music.
She added: “The utmost of respect is always given to the space and other users and we fully support the importance of contributing to the upkeep of this cherished green space.
“We always tidy away the equipment quickly and efficiently after the sessions and on some occasions have also cleared litter and dog waste left by other visitors to the space.
“I am hugely passionate about what I do and am immensely proud of the role I play in helping people experience healthier, happier lives. Our group is so much more than a fitness class — it is a positive, supportive, family-like community that relies on the Downs as a space to exercise, connect, and improve overall wellbeing.”
Separately, Bristol City Council is planning similar licence fees for businesses which use other parks across the city. This would affect all sorts of activities, such as professional dog walkers for example.
The council is not going to consult the public about the changes, but will reveal how much the fees will cost in early 2026.
Main photo: Bristol Bootcamp Company
Alex Seabrook is a local democracy reporter from Bristol
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