Westminster among first boroughs to achieve Covid-secure status for leisure facilities
By Rhiannon Du Cann
Westminster has become one of the first boroughs in the UK to achieve Covid-secure status within its leisure facilities.
Leisure facilities are now accredited with Fit for Business certification thanks to software company Tillr.
The leisure facilities operated by Everyone Active on behalf of Westminster borough council are ready to welcome people back safely.
Gyms and pools are set to reopen on April 12.
Paul Romer-Ormiston, director of Shoreditch-based Tillr, said: “Over the past 12 months we have all been through a rollercoaster of emotions because of the pandemic.
“People are desperate to get out and start doing the things they love, but they are also anxious about how safe places like leisure centres and gyms are.
“Leisure operators and local authorities must demonstrate that they have taken all required, recommended and reasonable steps to keep their patrons safe.
“The Fit for Business certification is the national standard of how to do just that, and it all starts by completing an online self-assessment.”
Fit for Business is the only online Covid-secure certification in the UK that is designed specifically for the sports and leisure sector.
Mr Romer-Ormiston explained that Tillr developed the Fit for Business self-assessment platform in collaboration with Right Directions.
Right Directions authored the certification mid-2020 and partnered with Tillr creating an online self-assessment platform.
Leisure operators use the platform to gauge how effective their Covid-secure measures are against the latest scientific and government advice.
The platform provides recommendations on how to improve.
Leisure operators can apply to Right Directions for a Fit for Business certification once their score is high enough.
Andy Davison, area contract manager for Everyone Active, operates Westminster City Council’s leisure facilities such as Marshall Street Leisure Centre and Spa, Moberly Sports Centre and Little Venice Sports Centre.
Mr Davison said: “I’m really proud of our colleagues who have worked so hard to look after our leisure centres and helped achieve this accreditation during lockdown, which clearly demonstrates Everyone Active’s cleaning and safety measures as industry leading.
“We look forward to reopening our centres in due course and supporting our local communities return to a more active and healthy lifestyle.”
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