Multi award winning ‘TFN’ is no more
Total Fitness Nottingham, also known as TFN, the long-standing Nottingham-based triathlon retailer has announced that after 21 years of trading, it closed its doors on Wednesday.
The announcement (reproduced in full below), was made on the TFN Facebook page by owner and long-time triathlete, Mark Redwood.
The statement makes clear reference to the recent announcement of the expansion of Tri UK (now owned by Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct) into Nottingham (opening in January 2018), as one of the key factors in the decision, alongside the “changing nature of retail, both in terms of how internet commerce is evolving…has rendered our business model and future expansion plans unsustainable”.
Mark Redwood and his staff have been part of the fabric of the sport for more than two decades, a regular sight at events with their mechanic services and retail offerings. Mark himself has been – and still is – a fantastic athlete, still regularly appearing on event podiums, despite having suffered severe injuries in a road traffic accident while out training in 2007.
For everything you have done to support the sport Mark – and everyone else who has been involved with TFN – thank you.
Here is the full statement:
It is with great sadness we have to announce that yesterday we closed tfn and ceased to trade.
The reasons for this are complex but the changing nature of retail, both in terms of how internet commerce is evolving and now the recent expansion into bricks and mortar triathlon stores by some huge corporate entities has rendered our business model and future expansion plans unsustainable.
The triathlon world has changed a lot since we first opened our doors 21 years ago. We have had some amazing times over the years and would like to thank all our loyal customers who have always stood behind us and supported our endeavors, without them it wouldn’t have been possible at all.
A lot of those customers are now great friends and will hopefully continue to be so.
A huge thank you also to all of our staff over the years, a lot of you will know them and have drunk their tea, they too feel more like family.
Finally a huge thanks to all the brands who have backed us right up-to the end, you know who you are, we wouldn’t have had a business without you. Also all the great events we have always supported. Best of luck to everyone.
Mark.
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
