Local leisure centres reopening date announced

Local leisure centres in Stratford-on-Avon district are set to reopen, after being given the 'green light' by Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.

Stratford Leisure Centre, Shipston Leisure Centre, Southam Leisure Centre and The Greig Leisure Centre which are managed by sports and leisure operator Everyone Active in partnership with Stratford District Council will reopen their doors on 25 July 2020 for gym access and fitness classes. Studley Leisure Centre will reopen on 1 August 2020.

The news comes after the facilities were forced to close for almost four months due to the coronavirus pandemic. Other facilities and activities across the leisure centres will follow in a phased approach and members will be updated as dates are confirmed.

The Government update on 9 July confirmed leisure centres were now safe to reopen facilities, with strict operational measures in place. Everyone Active procedures will ensure social distancing is managed throughout the centres and regular cleaning is maintained. Full detail of the operator's measures can be found here.

Whilst its 200 leisure centres across the country have been closed, Everyone Active launched a comprehensive package of online workouts for people to do whilst on lockdown, along with streaming live classes across its social media pages. It also pledged to donate half the cost of a membership to charity - The National Emergencies Trust - if customers continued to pay. Consequently, the operator raised over £400k for those most in need during the pandemic.

Alex Fuoco-Lang, Everyone Active's contract manager, said: "We're very much looking forward to reopening the centres and welcoming back the local community. After being closed for nearly four months, this latest announcement from Government is the news the leisure industry has been eagerly awaiting. Giving people the opportunity to resume activity and exercise in their leisure centre will go a long way to maintaining the good health of local communities.

"We've been overwhelmed with the support we have received from customers during these unprecedented times, and we're so grateful. Like many other industries, leisure has been greatly affected by the lockdown.

"Ensuring our colleagues and customers remain safe is our number one priority and we have carefully considered the strict measurements to ensure we adhere to the guidance. We will be contacting all customers directly over the coming days regarding the centres reopening. We look forward to welcoming everyone back and thanking them for their patience."

Cllr Sarah Whalley-Hoggins, Community Portfolio at Stratford-on-Avon District Council says: "We were frustrated that leisure centres and gyms were not included in the government's announcement that many hospitality venues and businesses could reopen from 4 July.

"However, now we've been given the green light to open, we want to assure members and regular users of our leisure centres that we are fully prepared to welcome all of our customers back with their health and safety remaining our top priority.

"Whilst leisure provision is not an essential service, it does provide many benefits, including previously providing a substantial income for the Council.

"We've been working closely with our contractors, who have been working during lockdown to make sure our centres are COVID-safe, so that we could be in a position to reopen our leisure centres as soon as we were allowed, providing much needed opportunities for physical activities and well-being."

For further information on Everyone Active and its leisure centres, visit www.everyoneactive.com.