Common Bond — operator of Barrecore, Boom Cycle and Kobox — has closed all of its London studios and taken its website offline. Members received an email saying locations are closed "until further notice" and apologising for the disruption. Instructors report delayed pay and say they only learned of the closures via the customer email; Companies House records show the company was incorporated in June last year and Ben Allen resigned as a director last month.
Common Bond Abruptly Closes All London Studios — Barrecore, Boom Cycle and Kobox Shut Until Further Notice
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Common Bond, the parent company behind premium fitness brands Barrecore, Boom Cycle and Kobox, has unexpectedly closed all of its London studios and taken its website offline.
The company emailed members on Wednesday to say its locations were closed "until further notice" and apologised for the disruption. The message asked for members' patience while the business works through the situation.
Instructor Pay Concerns
Several instructors told the BBC they were informed last week that pay would be delayed. Some said they only learned about the studio closures when members received the customer email. One instructor reported that wages due on 14 August were not paid and that, despite continuing to teach in good faith, she has had no further communication.
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.
Company Background and Filings
Companies House records show Common Bond was incorporated in June last year and has not yet filed company accounts. Recent filings indicate that Ben Allen resigned as a director last month. Gaspar Lipszyc, listed as a Belgian national living in Spain, is currently the only director shown in public records.
Common Bond describes itself as a wellness collective and had previously told customers it operated ten locations. The business markets a membership package of £2,400 for 12 months of unlimited classes and also operates the Reformcore and Triyoga brands.
About Barrecore
Barrecore specialises in the barre method, a low-impact discipline that blends elements of Pilates, ballet and yoga. The workout has grown in popularity in recent years and has been recommended by public figures including Pippa Middleton.
Attempts to access the Common Bond website now return no publicly available site, and the BBC has approached the company for further comment. It is currently unclear how many staff and customers have been affected by the sudden closures.
What Members Should Do
Members and instructors seeking clarity should check their emails for official updates from Common Bond, review their payment and booking statements, and contact their bank or payment provider if they have concerns about automatic payments or refunds. Staff who believe they are owed unpaid wages may wish to retain records of hours worked and communications and seek advice from an employment or legal advisory service.
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