James Haskell's Hask 45 gym closes after High Court order amid debts

A Bath-based gym founded by former England rugby star James Haskell has been forced to close after a creditor secured a High Court order that effectively shut the operation of Hask 45. Opened in 2017 in Bath, the studio marketed a 45‑minute high‑intensity circuit training format and drew on Haskell’s public profile, including appearances at royal events and a media career alongside former England captain Mike Tindall.

The business has faced mounting debts, with figures disclosed in 2025 showing about £927,738 in liabilities for Hask 45. There was the slight consolation that £437,000 was owed to another of Haskell’s companies, in which he and his late father are the main shareholders. A creditor’s bid to recover funds culminated in the High Court order and the closure of the studio, which had been a fixture of Bath’s fitness scene.

The High Court action followed a move by Bath & North East Somerset Council, named among the creditors in court papers. The council declined to comment on the amount it is owed. The case underscores the financial pressures many fitness ventures faced during and after the COVID-19 lockdowns, when closures disrupted memberships, rents and cash flow for studios across the country. Hask 45 had already weathered a difficult period as pandemic restrictions receded and expansion plans stalled.

Haskell, now 40, has been a prominent figure in English rugby and in media circles, hosting podcasts and engaging in interviews with members of the royal circle. The gym’s difficulties come against a backdrop of his personal life, including a 2023 split from his wife Chloe Madeley, daughter of television presenters Richard and Judy Madeley. The closure does not only affect Haskell’s business footprint; it closes a chapter in a career that blended sport, entertainment and public appearances at high-profile events, from weddings to charity functions.

By ceasing operations in Bath, Hask 45 joins a list of pandemic-era fitness brands that have faced sudden closures amid debt pressures and shifting consumer habits. The council, creditors and legal representatives will now pursue the appropriate steps to recover funds, while former clients and staff navigate the practicalities of the shutdown. As for Haskell, public-facing updates on the matter have been limited, with his focus reportedly turning to other business ventures and media projects.