Gerry Godfrey, owner of Active Leisure (Mobberley) Limited, confirmed on Monday that the company was going into liquidation - and the lease surrendered to the landowner. But this week, it emerged that a potential buyer had stepped in to temporary run the gym.

Train Station Limited, which currently operate three health clubs in Cheshire, are now interested in taking over the Mobberley gym permanently.

They will be keeping the gym open for members over the next four weeks while they prepare a buyout package to relaunch the gym.

"We hope to start a new era at the gym," said Paul Bird, co-owner of Train Station Limited.

"But we do not have any liability as far as memberships are concerned. "We would like to be able to sit down with each member as a gesture of goodwill to help advise them."

But the news could come as a bitter blow to the estimated 1,500 members, many of whom are believed to have paid lump-sum memberships of up to £999 for a 10-year millennium deal.

But Mr Godfrey's insolvency practitioner said on Monday that Members Collections Limited, a separate business interest, was not to be liquidated.

Mr Godfrey, who lives in Knutsford, told the Knutsford Guardian last week that a deal had been tabled and close to completion. But on Monday, he declined to comment further.

Mr Bird has now appealed for every member of the current Active Images to get in touch with the gym.

"The long-term future is now very exciting," he said.

"We have the backers and the investment to make this club very special.

"But this will be of secondary concern at the moment to worried members so we would appeal for them to come forward so we can discuss the situation."

Call Mr Bird or his business partner Steve Turnock on 01565 880040.