Hammersmith and Fulham council have introduced a charge for trainers who want to use their parks and open spaces. I listened to a heated debate on the topic on Jeremy Vine’s Radio 2 programme today. The main argument, voiced by those in support of the fee to trainers, centred on the unfairness of trainers escaping hefty overheads associated with operating from business premises. In addition, other small businesses felt they should also be allowed to trade from a local park if trainers were being allowed to do so. The council argue the parks need to be maintained and there are issues of safety and liability.

So where shall we draw the line? What if I want to accompany a client on a run on the promenade – should I “pay” for the privilege? What if I go out walking with a group of friends – will I have to prove they are friends and not clients? If the concern is trainers should not be earning money whilst using the parks as free business premises what about all the other business deals that take place in parks, most of which are quite unsavoury?

Legitimate trainers will carry out medical pre-screening on clients, they will have the necessary skills to deliver safe and effective training sessions and they are required to have appropriate insurance in place and an experienced trainer will also carry out a full risk assessment and take action as required. I think these answer the councils concerns on safety and liability. I’m sorry if other local businesses feel this is unfair but frankly their argument is petty and mean spirited and belongs in the school playground and not in the park! Our business does not need to take place in an office or a high street shop and why most of us decided to become a trainer in the first place.

I fear the fee imposed on trainers by Hammersmith and Fulham council will soon be rolled out across the rest of the country. It will be an absolute scandal if this results in some of our parks reverting to virtual no-go areas, being reclaimed by the anti-social elements of society, as trainers are forced to take their business elsewhere. One caller to Jeremy Vine’s programme made exactly the same point and said since bootcamp classes started in her local park she felt much safer there. In a country where levels of obesity are steadily rising every effort should be being made to demonstrate how you can get fit and stay fit by using what is right on your doorstep – our open spaces and parks.

I can’t see a problem with trainers providing local authorities with information regarding their qualifications and insurance but charging trainers is a step too far in my opinion. Let’s see our parks and open spaces filled with hot sweaty people inspiring others to give it a go!