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Sabtu, 25 Juli 2020

Coronavirus: Indoor gyms and pools in England start to reopen - BBC News

Indoor gyms, swimming pools and sports facilities in England have started to reopen in the latest easing of the coronavirus lockdown.

But the leisure sector has warned it will still struggle because of the financial impact of the pandemic.

At least a third of public facilities are expected to remain shut.

Gyms must follow strict hygiene and social distancing measures, such as limiting the number of people using the facility and spacing out equipment.

Facilities should also reduce class sizes and ensure adequate ventilation, according to government guidance issued earlier this month.

Swim England has published separate guidance for operators on how to reopen indoor pools, including implementing a one-way entry and exit system.

Indoor gyms in Northern Ireland opened earlier this month, but they remain closed in Scotland and Wales.

Meanwhile, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has confirmed gyms and sports facilities will not reopen in Luton or Blackburn with Darwen due to an increase in coronavirus cases in those areas.

Outdoor gyms and pools have been open in England since 4 July because there is less risk of catching coronavirus in the fresh air.

Luke Willmott, manager of the Castle Gym in Nottingham, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the gym was at capacity by around 06:25 BST, and it was "only right for people to have a choice" to return.

He said returning members are being advised to spray equipment with sanitiser before, during and after use - but there were "loads" of cancellations during lockdown.

"I think it's down to people's circumstances," he said. "A lot of our community have supported us which has been fantastic... but it has been a struggle."

Paul Douglas-Smith, manager of the Littlehampton Wave swimming pool, said the facility can now take 40 swimmers at once, down from more than 130 before the pandemic.

He said the pool will be hit financially, and is aiming for a "staged return".

"We're looking at the fitness swimmers first and then we're looking at the family and the junior swimming. That will probably follow in the next two or three weeks," he said.

Analysis

By Katy Austin, BBC News business correspondent

Confidence is crucial for those running gyms, pools and leisure centres - how safe people feel, and how much they're prepared to spend at a time of economic uncertainty.

Like other industries, fitness businesses have taken a financial hit. A report from trade body UKActive said membership cancellations rates were 15- 23% due to the impact of the pandemic.

Some fitness professionals have adapted by introducing online classes and personal training, which have proved popular.

But UKActive says although today is an important milestone, the sector is "not yet out of the woods".

It says support will still be needed with costs such as back-dated rent in coming months, and some facilities and services will remain closed due to the ongoing financial pressures and restrictions.

Despite the relaxed rules, industries bodies have warned many facilities could be forced to close amid the pandemic.

Community Leisure UK, the members' association that specialises in representing charitable leisure and culture trusts across England, Scotland and Wales, estimates that 48% of all public leisure facilities face closure, meaning as many as 1,300 could disappear by the end of the year, along with more than 58,000 jobs.

The organisation said about a third would not be able to reopen on Saturday due to the increased costs resulting from lost income during lockdown and due to operating at reduced capacity.

"The main reason is financial viability, because as with all of the high streets and services - zero income since the end of March," Mark Tweedie, chief executive of Community Leisure UK, said.

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The District Councils' Network (DCN) is also warning of the "uncertain future" faced by gyms and leisure centres, pointing out that the sector is expected to lose about £305m this year.

The DCN, which represents 187 district councils in England that provide leisure services, is calling on the Treasury to provide a rescue package to save leisure centres from collapse.

Leisure centres and indoor gyms, along with swimming pools and other indoor sports facilities have been closed since 21 March as part of measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Are you ready to go back to the gym? Has lockdown changed your exercise routine? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist.

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Oh dear, Nicola! Sturgeon’s SNP independence dream would cost Scotland £12bn a YEAR - Express

During an interivew with Express.co.uk Tony Miklinski discussed the impact of Scottish independence on the domestic economy. Mr Miklinski claimed that Scotland would lose a £12billion subsidy that every Scottish person benefits to the tune of £2,000 individually each year.

The Scottish Conservative said: "We would lose the £12billion a year subsidy that every Scottish person, man, woman and child benefits to the tune of £2,000 per person per year.

"Once that disappears there is a gap in the balance that has got to be achieved from somewhere.

"The employment prospects would shrink as companies retreated from Scotland as many have said that they would, Scottish financial services in particular.

"The UK dependent would have to close, we would be left with an austerity programme that would make the Greece experience look like a walk in the park."

During the same interview, Mr Miklinski warned Scotland's First Minister the economic impact of Scotland joining the EU would be huge.

The Scottish Conservative politician also outlined Scotland does not currently meet the criteria for membership of the bloc.

Mr Miklinski: "Various politicians have been quoted as saying ‘we would look favourably on a Scottish request for concession’.

"However, the rules say that in order to join the EU they need to see you take the euro as the currency.

He continued: "Remember what happened when a country was told to take somebody else’s currency, Greece, when they didn’t have the economic platform to build on it.

"Scotland is in a worse position than any of the other European Union countries.

"So the economic impact would be huge.

"Why the EU would want to make an exception for Scotland is not at all clear to me."

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2020-07-25 06:01:00Z
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Coronavirus: Indoor gyms and pools in England start to reopen - BBC News