Kingston and Wandsworth leisure centres to stay closed – for now

By Sian Bayley, Local Democracy Reporter

Council-run leisure centres in Kingston and Wandsworth are not opening just yet, despite the government’s announcement that they can open from Saturday.

Both boroughs work with the company Places Leisure, but all of their sites for Kingston and Wandsworth currently say they are “closed until further notice”.

It appears the company will only be opening sites in Chesterfield, Edinburgh, Hinckley, Preston, Sheffield and Telford on Saturday.

A statement on their website reads: “Places Leisure welcomes the announcement regarding the re-opening of leisure facilities.

“We are working hard with our local authority partners on our re-opening plans which will follow government and public health guidance, along with support from the fitness industry trade body UKActive, to make sure our customers and colleagues can return safely.

“We will be in touch with customers directly regarding the opening dates for each individual leisure centre, as well as the safety measures our centres will have in place.”

A Kingston council spokeswoman said: “There is unprecedented pressure on the leisure sector to ensure that centres can be reopened as safely as possible.

“We are working closely with our partner, Places Leisure, to make arrangements to re-open Kingston’s leisure centres as safely as we can.”

Richmond council is expected to make an announcement about its leisure centres later this week.