business

Government Announces Further Easing Of Lockdown Restrictions In The Leisure, Arts And Beauty Sectors

Culture Sectreary, Oliver Dowden, has announced that outdoor swimming pools will be allowed to reopen from Saturday 11 July, with gyms and indoor leisure centres reopening their doors on July 25.

The number of people allowed to use sports facilities at once will be limited - with new guidance recommending a timed booking system.

Oliver Dowden MP

Class sizes should be reduced, and equipment should be spaced out to allow for proper social distancing.

Beauticians, nail bars, tanning shops, spas and tattooists can reopen from Monday July 13.

The Culture Secretary also announced today a partial return for the performing arts, with plays, operas, dancing and musical performances resuming in outdoor settings only from this weekend.

Mr Dowden said: "The reopening of gyms is the news millions across the country have been waiting for with many people desperate to jump on a spinning bike or dive into a pool."

“Helping people return to gyms safely will also help the nation get match-fit to defeat this virus.”

Hannah Essex

Responding to the news BCC Co-Executive Director Hannah Essex said: “Businesses in the leisure and beauty industries and many in the arts sector will be relieved to finally have a timetable for reopening and can now plan for the future.

“With changes to the furlough scheme coming at the beginning of next month, a provisional timetable for reopening is still required for firms that remain fully or partially closed and face tough decisions on the viability of their business.

“Firms given the green light to reopen will be taking a safe, proportionate and risk-based approach to returning to work, in close consultation with their staff. For many this will be an entirely new way of operating as they apply guidance to the on the ground realities of their business.

“HSE and local authorities should support businesses as they seek to comply with the new rules - and reserve new enforcement powers for the tiny minority of businesses who are wilfully disobeying or ignoring their obligations.”

Cllr Gerald Vernon Jackson, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Board, said:

“It is great news that gyms and leisure centres can reopen, and many people will be hugely excited about being able to safely visit them again. Being active is crucial to the fight against obesity, inactivity and poor mental health, and we know that the lockdown has increased physical inactivity and unhealthy eating habits for some families.

“Many leisure providers are in serious financial jeopardy as a result of months of lockdown and the expensive cost of maintaining closed facilities, particularly those with swimming pools. Although able to access the Job Retention Scheme they have had very little other financial support and a financial support package is needed to stabilise them.

“Having had to furlough staff and faced with uncertainty about when they might be able to reopen, providers have been unable to prepare. This means it may take a bit of time to reopen some facilities in line with government guidance and to ensure the right measures in place to maintaining social distancing and safe use.

“They will no doubt move as fast as they can to reopen. Residents should keep an eye on council websites and social media channels to find out when their local leisure facilities are open."

Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority also welcomed the news that local businesses and venues - including cafés, restaurants, pubs, visitor attractions, hotels and campsites - have been welcoming customers back after lockdown restrictions on the hospitality sector were lifted last weekend.

Neil Heseltine, Chairman of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said: “It’s great to see so many local businesses back open, especially in the hospitality sector - which is so important to our local economy. Income from visitors helps to sustain services essential to community life over the winter months.

“To support people coming into the National Park for days trips and longer breaks we have staff working outside our National Park Centres in Grassington, Aysgarth Falls, Hawes and Malham, and out and about in Swaledale, to provide support and advice. They will be on hand with local information, maps, leaflets and tips for making the most of your visit.

“We also have a wealth of information and advice on our website, including details of accommodation providers, cafés, restaurants, pubs, short walks and visitor attractions. This will be particularly useful for anybody visiting for the first time.

“Finally, the safety of visitors and communities throughout the National Park remains our number one priority, so we would ask everyone to stick to the two-metre social distancing rule, where possible, and to:

Respect the land. Respect the community. Respect each other. Take the opportunity to revisit the Countryside Code, and take all your litter home.
Expect a different visitor experience. Local businesses will have strict social distancing measures in place and may limit how many people can be accommodated at any given time. Please show patience and understanding.
Plan your visit. Check ahead. Plan your visit in advance and check ahead to stay safe and avoid disappointment.

The Swale Trail. Photo: Stephen Garnett