A RUNNING club has been saved from folding after they found out their meeting place was set to close.

Sweatshop in Colchester’s High Street is due to close on Wednesday, after just two and a half years of being open.

Sport retailing giant Sports Direct became a shareholder in 2014, but it is understood the company has now decided to take over Sweatshops all over the country.

The shop, which sells running clothing, is also home to the Sweatshop Running Community, which has some 30,000 taking part for free across the nation.

About 40 people attend the two running days which are held at the Colchester branch, and there was a fear the club would have to fold when the store closes.

But now The Gym in Queen Street, Colchester, has come to the rescue saying its business is prepared to act as home to the running club.

David Pickles, assistant manager at The Gym, uses the store to buy training equipment.

He said: “I understand nearly all Sweatshops in the country are closing and moving into Sports Direct megastores, but as Colchester doesn’t have one, it is just closing down.

“It’s a popular store and people meet there every week for a free running club, so we are taking it on to keep it going.”

He added: “They were initially talking about meeting up without a venue, but instead we will make it a more focussed running club.

“It’s a shame as it’s a really good running club and the shop provides a very good service.”

The group, which meets on a Monday and Thursday at the shop, will now have somewhere to progress.

The store in High Street was the chain’s 43rd in the UK when it opened in October 2014 in the former JJB Sports building.

The Gazette contacted the Sweatshop but we were directed on to Sports Direct for comment.

The Gazette also contacted Sports Direct to invite them to comment on the changes, but no-one responded.