East Lindsey leisure centres: ‘Use them or lose them!’

The Magna Vitae Trust, which runs leisure centres in Louth, Mablethorpe, Horncastle and Skegness, has said that there has ‘never been a more important time’ for people to use their local leisure centres.
Magna Vitae's leisure centresMagna Vitae's leisure centres
Magna Vitae's leisure centres

In a statement on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic last week, the Trust said that only small proportion (35 per cent) of members have returned since the facilities opened in late July, with a further 25 per cent having ended their membership since March. This represents a loss of around £800,000 compared to the previous year.

A Magna Vitae spokesman said: “Covid-19 resulted in the closure of all Magna Vitae leisure venues on Friday March 20. No income was generated during closure.

“Our venues reopened, in part, on Saturday July 25. A fraction of centre membership has since returned. Numbers returning are slowing rising each day.

“To comply with current guidelines, especially social distancing, centre operations have been significantly modified. Some services still remain unavailable despite reopening six weeks ago. All venues are covid secure classified, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of both custom and staff.

“The latest figures from the Community Leisure UK Covid-19 Impact Report shows that 44 per cent of leisure facilities in England have not found it economically viable to reopen since the lockdown measures were eased.

“Magna Vitae has lost around 25 per cent (800 members) of its health and fitness membership since March, representing a loss of £800k when compared against the previous year performance.

“Approximately 50 per cent of swimming lesson learners have indicated they will return from Monday September 21.

“Potentially 700 child learners not returning represents a further loss of £300k against the previous year.

“School swimming has also been negatively affected, with many local schools not planning to return until November or possibly even January 2021.

“Casual swimming numbers have also declined, equating to a £300k annual loss. Two of our five swimming pools have not yet reopened.

“The contribution and support from both Louth Swimming Club and Skegness Amateur Swimming Club have assisted greatly in reopening pools on a viable basis.

“Swim England state that an estimated 20 per cent of swimming pools in England will close permanently due to Covid-19.”

With regard to other issues faced by staff at the Magna Vitae Trust, the spokesman continued: “Around 85 per cent of the workforce has been furloughed, and MV took advantage of the Government Job Retention Scheme.

“This scheme ends in October, and redundancies are expected when this financial support ends.

“Magna Vitae is currently in consultation with its workforce regards potential job losses later in the year.

“Social distancing arrangements are due to continue for the foreseeable future, this will continue to significantly reduce capacity sizes.

“This will inevitably result in reduced revenue.

“It is estimated that the leisure centres annual income will be around 70 per cent less in 2020 than in the previous year.”

The spokesman added: “Building public confidence is key to moving forward and helping ensure that everyone fights against the virus together.

“Leisure centres help and support people to improve their physical and mental health wellbeing.

“As people adjust to the ‘new normal’, it is expected there will be an increase in obesity (health) related issues.

“There has never been a more important time for people to change their lifestyle and health behaviour.”