Zug, 21.01.2021

How small sports companies are suffering

These are difficult times for dance schools and fitness centres. Companies in Zug are hoping for an early reopening – and want more support.

Sport and fitness companies have been closed since 22 December – as have cinemas, museums and restaurants. But they have received little attention, although fitness centre, dance schools and similar organisations are suffering greatly from the corona measures. While the gastro industry is making its voice heard through a strong lobby and demonstrations, the concerns of sports companies are often missed. And it’s the smaller companies that are being particularly affected by the closure measures, which have now been extended once again. When the flow of revenue dries up, it quickly becomes impossible to pay the bills.

As the owner and managing director of Matchless Dance & Arts in Hünenberg, Sonja Mutter is heavily affected by the closure measures. Her dance school offer a range extending from ballet, through urban dance to various fitness, pole and aerial arts courses. Because of the Corona crisis, however, she has had to withdraw many of her offers from the programme for the time being. The dance school currently only offers the U-16 children's courses. The Managing Director reports:

"There’s a lot of pressure on the company, which has to pay all the bills with less revenue while also trying to meet everyone’s expectations."

"Students want performance for their money, some teachers are not receiving any wages and the landlords still demand payment." Sonja Mutter has been able to register all her employees for short-time work and, fortunately, has not had to let anyone go. Instead of regular operations, she and her team are putting a lot of work into reshaping, tidying up and preparing for the next semester.

Sonja Mutter runs the Matchless dance hall in Hünenberg. The lockdown worries her a lot
Photo: Stefan Kaiser (Hünenberg, 19 January 2021)

The age limit is becoming a problem
Andrea Flanders, head of the Tanz-Ateliers Zug, can also only teach children and young people under the age of 16 in her school at the moment. But it is precisely this that presents the dance school with a challenge. "The closure measure mainly affects adult students, but also those who are just about to celebrate their 16th birthday. They have always trained in the same group since the reopening in June, but they are no longer allowed to train after their 16th birthday," says Andrea Flanders. In addition, from October, the young dancers have had to train while wearing a face mask once they have had their 12th birthday.

The owner of the dance school Tanz Eleganz in Baar, Yasmin Tobler, is being creative during this difficult time. "We are now trying to build up a course via Zoom, in order to try to maintain contact with our regular customers," she says. Yasmin Tobler is effectively experiencing a gradual closure of her dance school. "After the summer period, we had to dance wearing face masks, and then only couples from the same household were allowed to dance, then only up to 15 people and before 7 p.m., and now a total closure," says Tobler, who also teaches at her school herself.

"The closure measure is threatening, as we’ve had a massive drop in sales. The future of the dance school is uncertain."

Yasmin Tobler wants more support for her dance school. One thing is important to her, however: “When I say I want financial support, it has to be contributions that don’t have to be repaid. I've never taken out a loan in my life, and I'm not about to start now.”

Fitness entrepreneur is upset
In addition to dance schools, Zug fitness centres are also suffering. David Freuler, fitness instructor and Managing Director at Focus Fitness & Diagnostics, says: "The closure measure is undoubtedly threatening. As a self-employed person, you’ll be quickly tormented by fears of continued existence after what happened in 2020." The Zug start-up is now hoping for support from the canton. The team only managed to open its fitness centre in Cham in June 2020. "The original plan was to open in March, but Corona put an end to that," says Freuler.

In addition to regular fitness training, "Focus" also offers personal training and performance diagnostics. This takes place within the context of individual appointments. "One point that makes me angry is that it is accepted that crowds of people can arise in many places, for example, in ski resorts or in supermarkets. But an exemption that would allow someone to book an appointment in a 550 m2 fitness centre to work on their health is not allowed," says Freuler. "I’d like to see some recognition of the fact that fitness is systemically important. We have our protection concept, and, with individual appointments, the opportunity to work with our customers on their health."