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| Coronavirus: Indoor gyms and pools in England start to reopen | Coronavirus: Indoor gyms and pools in England start to reopen |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Indoor gyms, swimming pools and sports facilities in England have started to reopen in the latest easing of the coronavirus lockdown. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 | Analysis |
| By Katy Austin, BBC News business correspondent | 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. | 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. | 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". | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 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. | "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. |
| 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 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. | 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. | 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. | |
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