The former boss of Melbourne’s ‘gym to the stars’ has broken his silence by lashing out at the environment of his old company and revealing why he thinks it went out of business.
Until last month, personal trainer Andy Brand ran the Cremorne Club gym in Melbourne’s downtown Richmond, which was set up in 2021.
His clients included swimwear entrepreneur Erin Deering and Bondi Sands founder of tanning products Shaun Wilson models Tess Shanahan and Lulu Liberman, and Real Housewife of Melbourne star Lydia Schiavello.
The boutique gym, which charged premium customers $430 a month, suddenly went out of business last month with little explanation.
But Mr Brand told Daily Mail Australia that he has moved on and revealed he is becoming an independent celebrity trainer.
The buff 44-year-old has also opened up about the gym’s chaotic final days and said it “feels so good to be free.”
Until last month, personal trainer Andy Brand (pictured in the gym) ran the Cremorne Club gym in downtown Melbourne’s Richmond, which was set to open in 2021
Mr Brand (pictured with wife Renee) told Daily Mail Australia he has moved on and reveals he is becoming an independent celebrity trainer
Mr Brand claimed there were wider challenges for the company that he was unaware of before the gym collapse.
“I gained full control of the company 10 days prior to liquidation. Before that, I had no control,” he explained.
“In the end I was thrown under the bus.”
Mr Brand explained that there were three partners behind the Cremorne Club activities, including himself, a colleague who managed the finances and the building’s landlord.
“There was a non-compete clause in my contract which means I can’t contact my clients, the Cremorne Club members or work within 2 miles of the business,” he explained.
“Many have reached out and followed me… The Cremorne Club wouldn’t be the Cremorne Club without me.”
Bondi Sands founder of tanning products Shaun Wilson (left) with former Cremorne Club director Andy Brand (center)
Former executive and personal trainer Andy Brand told his Instagram followers it was ‘good to be free’
The Cremorne Club was once a celebrity hot spot before going out of business
Model Lulu Liberman becomes active in the Cremorne Club gym, which has gone bankrupt
Model Tess Shanahan was one of the high-profile members of Melbourne’s Cremorne Club gym
Mr. Brand declined to comment on which high-profile clients have continued to train with him.
Last month, members of the Cremorne Club began receiving reports that their membership had been canceled because the company had gone into receivership.
The exclusive facility advertised itself as a “boutique health club that offers a first-class service,” providing gymgoers with towels, pre-workout drinks upon arrival, and protein shakes after their sessions.
The club had become known as the go-to training hub for Melbourne’s rich and famous, with the likes of Survivor star and broker Fraser Lack and retired NRL legend Nate Myles, Rich Lister Deering and Wilson all training under Mr Brand.
The Cremorne Club website is now inactive and its content has been replaced with a message that reads: ‘Website coming soon’.
However, the company’s website still lists Mr. Brand’s personal number as the single point of contact when obtaining a gym membership.
Daily Mail Australia understands that shop fitters Hector Ktori and John Theodoulou of K and K industries, who own the Cremorne building where the gym operates, are now in charge of the business.
Millionaire swimwear entrepreneur co-founder of Triangl Erin Deering (center) with Fraser Lack (right) at the Cremorne Club
On May 17, after a second meeting of creditors, corporate watchdog ASIC said the Cremorne Club was in liquidation and will be liquidated.
On April 11, the company went bankrupt.
Daily Mail Australia contacted Mr. Ktoria, Mr. Theodoulou and the third partner for comment.