Delay to leisure centres reopening in Horsham district ‘infuriating to say the least’

The Government allowed such indoor facilities to open their doors again at the weekend as part of a gradual easing of lockdown measures.

However the four centres run by Places Leisure on behalf of Horsham District Council remain closed.

These are Horsham’s Pavilions in the Park, Broadbridge Heath’s The Bridge, Billingshurst Leisure Centre and Steyning Leisure Centre.

According to the council, Places Leisure is asking for significant financial support before it will reopen the facilities.

On the County Times’ Facebook page, readers described the situation as ‘annoying’ and ‘infuriating to say the least’.

Several suggested the delays would lead to many members going elsewhere and joining other gyms, while many also highlighted the positive impact leisure facilities have on health and wellbeing.

A handful asked if a different company could be found or if the services could be brought in-house by the council.

One commenter said: “I find it amazing that the government is pushing to deal with national obesity, and yet there is no help for the local facilities to help with this.”

Another wrote: “So annoying. Surely we need our gym/fitness centres open - keeping people fit and healthy is a positive against the virus.”

Another user added: “I absolutely understand the business logistics of it all - less people, lower income, same overheads, extended staffing, lockdown losses etc. It’s just a shame that’s all. Local leisure facilities are such an important part of people’s wellbeing. I just hoped it could have been sorted before now so once the green light was given to go back we were off.”

The council has employed a specialist leisure consultant to help it negotiate with Places Leisure.

Ray Dawe, leader of the council said they wanted the facilities reopened as ‘rapidly as possibly’.

At a meeting last Thursday, he added: “We believe it’s absolutely essential get our leisure centres open.”

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