LEISURE centres in Alcester and Studley are set to reopen later this month following the government's recent announcement.

Stratford-on-Avon District Council’s five leisure centres, including Alcester and Studley, are preparing to reopen on Saturday, July 25.

Since they were closed in March, Everyone Active, who operate the centres, have been implementing social distancing and extra cleaning measures to make the facilities safe for all users and staff to prepare for reopening.

Measures that have been put in place include sneeze screens, hand sanitisation units, social distancing floor stickers, gym signage, and other safety precautions.

Additional cleaning measures have also been put in place, with each centre being deep cleaned prior to reopening.

Gyms at the centres will open on Saturday, July 25 with swimming pools opening the following week on Saturday, August 1.

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.”