Fitness bosses 'flabbergasted' over ‘illogical’ decision to open pubs but keep gyms shut

Ellena Cruse24 June 2020

Fitness bosses have criticised the Government's “completely illogical” decision to reopen pubs and restaurants, but leave indoor gyms and spas closed when lockdown measures are eased next month.

Boris Johnson announced on Tuesday that a large number of companies in England will be allowed to reopen from July 4, including pubs, hotels, libraries and outdoor leisure facilities.

The Prime Minister told the House of Commons that “difficult judgements” had been made in deciding which firms were able to reopen.

But gym chiefs have reacted with anger to the plans and claimed letting pubs and restaurants reopen while keeping exercise facilities closed could lead to people becoming more at risk of Covid-19.

PureGym, one of the UK’s largest operators with more than one million members, said in a statement: “We understand that these decisions are not easy, but it is a strange ‘war on obesity’ that sees pubs and restaurants open before gyms.

“Our facilities are, on average, the size of five or six doubles tennis courts and are exceptionally well ventilated, enabling people to work and exercise safely and securely.”

Gyms have reopened in other countries including Spain
AFP via Getty Images

Chief executive of David Lloyd Clubs, Glenn Earlam, said the plans were a “completely illogical” move.

He added: “So what we hear is that pubs and restaurants will be able to reopen, but health and fitness facilities won’t be able to. To us this is bizarre because we are part of the solution.

“If people come to health and fitness facilities it helps boost their immune system, the chief medical officer has regularly said that health and fitness is one of the best things you can do to protect yourself from Covid-19.”

Bosses have criticised the Government's decision to open eateries but not fitness centres
AFP via Getty Images

Mark Sesnan, managing director of GLL, which operates 270 leisure and sports facilities on behalf of local authorities in the UK, said that he was “flabbergasted” by the announcement.

“We know that people who have gone into Covid with good health have better outcomes than people who haven’t so we are a bit shocked and amazed that the Government think it’s more important to have pubs open rather than facilities for people to take healthy activities in," he said.

“Speaking as someone who enjoys a pint and a meal myself, I can see the mental health of the nation benefits by getting back to some sort of normality as well, but it surely can’t be a higher priority.

“They need to wake up and smell the coffee, that there’s nothing to be gained by keeping these leisure centres closed.”

After the Prime Minister’s announcement, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden tweeted that the “aspiration” was to reopen gyms by mid-July.

Detailed sector-by-sector guidance is expected later on Thursday on how businesses can reopen in a Covid-secure manner.

Many of those affected and will remain closed include close proximity between households, such as soft play areas and nightclubs.

Parts of the beauty sector will remain shut including spas, nail bars, tattoo parlours, beauty salons and massage parlours.

Bowling alleys, water parks and casinos will also not be allowed to reopen.

The Prime Minister getting a polish in east London during a tour of the Olympic village in Stratford 
PA

Mr Johnson added that taskforces with public health experts will help these businesses reopen “as soon as possible”.

The trade body representing the night-time economy has welcomed the decision to allow some businesses to reopen, but warned that many businesses will struggle.

Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association (NITA), called on the Government to give further financial support to businesses in the sector.

He said: “For many of our members, including nightclubs, casinos and some pubs, restaurants and bars that can’t meet the one-metre social distancing obligations, the nightmare of enforced closure goes on.

“Businesses operating in the night-time economy have needs distinct from those operating in more general hospitality and it would be unforgivable if those needs are not taken into account by Government.”

A Treasury spokesman said it had provided “a generous and wide-ranging package of support for businesses”.

They said: “Our job retention scheme, for example, has protected more than nine million jobs across the UK and we have extended it until October – meaning it will have been open for eight months and will continue to support businesses as the economy reopens.”

Alongside furloughing staff, other support measures have included the Business Interruption Loan Schemes, a £10,000 grant for small businesses, a £25,000 grant and business rates holiday for the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors, and the Bounce Back Loan Scheme.

The spokesman added: “We will continue to look at how to adjust our schemes in a way that ensures businesses are supported, protecting both the UK economy and the livelihoods of people across the country.”

A DCMS spokeswoman said: “We are continuing to work with representatives from the gym and leisure centre sectors on plans for a safe, phased reopening with the ambition for this to happen from mid-July, subject to public health guidance. We need to make sure that plans are comprehensive with all risks minimised.”