Less than a year after taking over at the centre, BWell's directors have decided to leave on August 31, citing staffing issues as one of the main problems.

"Circumstances have changed – two of our main staff have left without working their notice," said Spencer McCormack, one of BWell's directors.

"Recruitment at Harleston has been seriously difficult."

The company, which also runs leisure centres in Gorleston and Hemsby, has said all members at Harleston will be fully reimbursed for any outstanding payments and that nearly all staff have found new jobs.

Harleston Town Council, which owns the building, has decided to take over the centre management.

Council chairman Sue Kuzmic expressed her anger at BWell's decision to leave but promised the facilities would be up and running as soon as possible.

She said: "Obviously, because of the short notice period, there may be a time where we just open the centre for its other users and there won't be a gym facility for a short time – hopefully less than a month.

"We are not going to sit back and let the facility close. We are going to do everything in our power to get it open and up and running in as close to a month as we can."

Mrs Kuzmic said BWell had first informed the town council of its plans to leave the centre last month but talks were held and the company had decided to stay.

"On Monday, they sent us an email saying they are going to leave on August 31, leaving the town council to try and sort something out for the residents, which we are quite frankly angry about because we thought we were working out a solution to the problem," she said.

"They should have given us a longer notice period, not only for the town council but for the customers who use the gym."

Gym member Rachael Elvin of Harleston said she was disappointed at the company's decision.

"I know a lot of people were disappointed when the last company pulled out and we thought it was a permanent thing," she said.

"I think it's a big loss for the town, especially with the increased housing coming in."

Mr McCormack said that without staffing issues, the company would have stayed at the centre.