Barrecore and Boom Cycle Owner Abruptly Shuts All London Studios

Common Bond, the wellness collective operating high-end London fitness brands including Barrecore, Boom Cycle, and Kobox, unexpectedly shut down all its studio locations “until further notice”, leaving customers locked out of prepaid classes and instructors reporting unpaid wages, according to reporting by the BBC.

The sudden studio closures affect a portfolio that also includes Reformcore and Triyoga. According to business records, Common Bond operated ten sites across the capital as of August 2025. Customers who purchased memberships—such as a £2,400 annual package for unlimited classes—received an email on Wednesday announcing the immediate shutdown.

“We’re sorry to let you know that all Common Bond studios are closed until further notice,” the company stated in the email seen by the BBC. “We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and disruption this may cause. We understand this is frustrating, and we appreciate your patience while we work through this.” The message provided no explanation for the decision and offered no timeline for reopening. The company’s official website is no longer publicly accessible, though its domain remains registered.

Impact on Instructors and Unpaid Wages

Teaching staff discovered the sudden closures through the customer notification email rather than through direct communication from management, according to instructor accounts reported by the BBC. Instructors stated they were informed the previous week that their scheduled payroll would be delayed. Payment was originally due on August 14, but failed to arrive.

“In good faith, I continued to teach my classes without any news on when or if payment would be made,” an anonymous instructor told the BBC, adding that she heard nothing further from the company prior to the closure announcement. The exact total number of affected employees and active members remains undisclosed.

Corporate Structure and Recent Leadership Changes

Companies House filings show that Common Bond was incorporated in June 2025 and has not yet published any formal financial accounts. Recent filings indicate leadership changes, with director Ben Allen stepping down from his role last month. Gaspar Lipszyc, identified as a Belgian national residing in Spain, is currently listed as the sole active director of the company, which operates from a registered address at 55 Southwark Street in London.

The BBC has contacted Common Bond for comment regarding the studio closures and unpaid wages, but has not yet received a response. A related corporate entity, CB Franchising Ltd, faces a filing deadline with Companies House on September 14, 2026, though the outcome of that regulatory filing remains unconfirmed.

Popularity of Barrecore and the Boutique Fitness Sector

Barrecore specializes in barre fitness, a low-impact exercise regime that blends elements of pilates, ballet, and yoga. The discipline has experienced a surge in popularity in recent years, boosted by endorsements from high-profile figures including Pippa Middleton. The combination of joint-friendly movement and strength training has drawn dedicated participants willing to pay premium subscription fees across the collective’s multiple brands.