Gym owner defends controversial billboard after locals vandalized it

A gym owner has defended a controversial billboard he put up to promote his business after it was vandalized.

Ollie Lawrence, who runs the PT Factory in Denton, Manchester, paid for an ad that read ‘Tired, fat and ugly? Now just be ugly!’

The tongue-in-cheek poster, which features a woman exercising alongside the controversial words, didn’t sit well with locals and was quickly painted over it with bright yellow paint and the words ‘This is bad’ smudged.

It’s not the first time a gym has used the concept to garner attention — a Long Eaton workout center came under fire in 2016 for using the same wording on its billboards.

Ollie Lawrence, who runs the PT Factory in Denton, Manchester, has defended a controversial billboard he put up to promote his business

However, Ollie, who founded the gym over a decade ago, said it was just a “light hearted joke”.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Ollie said: “I couldn’t believe it. It was just a lighthearted joke. It was not our intention to offend anyone.”

The owner admitted he did market research before putting it up and he thought it would make people laugh.

He said, “Otherwise I wouldn’t have put it up. We spoke to a lot of people beforehand and 99 percent saw it for what it is – a joke. We’ve received thousands of comments saying how brilliant it is.

The tongue-in-cheek poster, which features a woman exercising, read: “Tired of being fat and ugly? Now just be ugly!’

Gym owner Ollie (pictured) had no malicious intent with the billboard and just wanted to make a fun ad

Ollie said they only received nine complaints about the billboard and the feedback was mostly positive.

He admitted there was no malicious intent behind the billboard, and he just wanted to make a funny ad in which he described himself as a “cheeky guy” who went into the fitness industry to help people.

Ollie said he thinks whoever destroyed the poster is completely out of order because it’s very expensive, and he assured them he plans to put another one up.

Taking to the gym’s Instagram page to share snaps of the vandalized billboards, Ollie wrote: “Look at the state of play in 2022. I literally can’t even post a joke anymore to make people smile during these trying times.

Many people rushed to the comments in support of the billboard, saying it made them laugh.

“Put a smile on someone’s face from hundreds of messages praising us for what it’s supposed to be! Unfortunately, someone made the choice.

“It was reported to the police and evidence sent.”

Many rushed to the comments to support the ad, saying it “made her laugh”.

One person wrote: “This poster made me laugh, too bad everyone is so offended now.”

Another said: “Wow it’s so sad how people can’t take a joke these days. I commend you for the strong marketing decision!”

While another wrote: “This is brilliant!! Too many gentle people who don’t get a joke these days!’

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