Ashfield leisure centres join fight to be recognised as 'essential service' amid pandemic

Festival Hall Leisure Centre, Hucknall Leisure Centre and Lammas Leisure Centre, managed by sports and leisure operator Everyone Active in partnership with Ashfield District Council, were forced to close for a prolonged period starting in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In a letter to the Government from Everyone Active’s managing director, David Bibby, concerns were raised about the tougher effect on the public this time round, with shorter hours of sunlight and colder weather affe cting mental health and the motivation for people to exercise outdoors.

Following the reopening of leisure facilities in July, Everyone Active, like other providers, implemented a host of strict operational measures to ensure safety across gym, swimming, group exercise and activities to protect customers and colleagues.

However, these efforts were met with a news of a month’s closure.

Lorenzo Clark, Everyone Active’s area contract manager, added: “This is an incredibly difficult time for the leisure industry and our centres in Ashfield.

“We are urging our members to get behind us and to support their local centre by signing the petition to encourage the Government to keep gyms open at

https:// petition.parliament.uk/petitions/333869.​​​

“We’re so proud of all our colleagues for their hard work and dedication to providing a safe environment for our customers and can’t wait to reopen our doors once again.”

To read Everyone Active’s managing director David Bibby’s letter in full, visit www.everyoneactive.com/news/our-manager-director-is-calling-on-your-support.