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NEWS
Coronavirus: UK physical activity operators begin closures
POSTED 19 Mar 2020 . BY Tom Walker
Boutique operator 1Rebel will shut all of its sites on 21 March Credit: 1Rebel
Fitness and physical activity operators in the UK have begun closing facilities and cancelling events, ahead of the predicted peak in the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak.

Parkrun has cancelled all UK events with immediate effect.

"Following government advice and public health guidelines, we are suspending events in the UK from this weekend until at least the end of March," parkrun said in a statement.

"With this announcement parkrun is now closed in every territory around the world until further notice."

Boutique operator 1Rebel is among the private operators which will close all of its studios in London until further notice.

In an open letter to its members, CEO James Balfour said: "In light of recent government updates, we have made the decision to close all of our clubs, effective from 21 March onwards.

"While it breaks our hearts to have to close the clubs, we’re a firm believer in pulling together as one to face the challenge head-on, and we know as a member of the Rebel Army you are with us on this.

"We would like to take a moment to give a shout out to all of our Trainers, Cleaners and Front of House teams, who have been working tirelessly on the front line as the situation has evolved."

In the public sector, Edinburgh Leisure – which operaters venues on behalf of the city council – said it will close all of its 22 leisure centres and other venues at the close of play on Thursday 19 March.

Other local authorities which have decided to close their leisure centres and swimming pools include Belfast City Council, Leeds City Council, Nottingham City Council, South Norfolk Council, Walsall Council, Calderdale Council, Telford & Wrekin Council, Wandsworth Borough Council.

June Peebles, CEO of Edinburgh Leisure said: “These are unprecedented and challenging times for everyone and we are communicating this news to all our stakeholders which includes staff, customers, service providers, tenants, partners, suppliers and volunteers as soon as possible.

“Edinburgh Leisure is a charity; and every penny we receive from memberships, lets, events and funding is reinvested back into our venues and funds the services that we provide – therefore shutting our venues and therefore freezing customers’ memberships has huge consequences for us and also the health of Edinburgh.

“While our customers won’t be able to keep active with Edinburgh Leisure for the time being, we will be looking at offering advice to our customers on tips for keeping moving remotely and access to classes via ‘Les Mills on demand’ so that customers can workout at home.

"And providing advice from Public Health Scotland allows people to not require to totally self-isolate, there is also the option of going for a walk or run outside.

“We really hope that once the situation passes that customers will return to Edinburgh Leisure venues to keep active and stay active once again and to continue supporting us as they have done for the last 22 years.”
RELATED STORIES
  Sport England begins period of 'significant flexibility' to support physical activity sector


Sport England has initiated a three-month period of "significant flexibility" as part of plans to offer targeted support to organisations struggling with the effects of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
  Leading industry bodies call for special measures to keep leisure facilities afloat


Leading trade bodies representing the physical activity sector have called on the government to introduce "urgent additional measures" in order to keep gyms and leisure facilities afloat during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.
  Coronavirus: ukactive issues guidance for health and fitness sector


Physical activity body ukactive has issued guidance and recommendations for how UK fitness operators and facilities should deal with a suspected case of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
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©Cybertrek 2026
Uniting the world of spa & wellness
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News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
Coronavirus: UK physical activity operators begin closures
POSTED 19 Mar 2020 . BY Tom Walker
Boutique operator 1Rebel will shut all of its sites on 21 March Credit: 1Rebel
Fitness and physical activity operators in the UK have begun closing facilities and cancelling events, ahead of the predicted peak in the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak.

Parkrun has cancelled all UK events with immediate effect.

"Following government advice and public health guidelines, we are suspending events in the UK from this weekend until at least the end of March," parkrun said in a statement.

"With this announcement parkrun is now closed in every territory around the world until further notice."

Boutique operator 1Rebel is among the private operators which will close all of its studios in London until further notice.

In an open letter to its members, CEO James Balfour said: "In light of recent government updates, we have made the decision to close all of our clubs, effective from 21 March onwards.

"While it breaks our hearts to have to close the clubs, we’re a firm believer in pulling together as one to face the challenge head-on, and we know as a member of the Rebel Army you are with us on this.

"We would like to take a moment to give a shout out to all of our Trainers, Cleaners and Front of House teams, who have been working tirelessly on the front line as the situation has evolved."

In the public sector, Edinburgh Leisure – which operaters venues on behalf of the city council – said it will close all of its 22 leisure centres and other venues at the close of play on Thursday 19 March.

Other local authorities which have decided to close their leisure centres and swimming pools include Belfast City Council, Leeds City Council, Nottingham City Council, South Norfolk Council, Walsall Council, Calderdale Council, Telford & Wrekin Council, Wandsworth Borough Council.

June Peebles, CEO of Edinburgh Leisure said: “These are unprecedented and challenging times for everyone and we are communicating this news to all our stakeholders which includes staff, customers, service providers, tenants, partners, suppliers and volunteers as soon as possible.

“Edinburgh Leisure is a charity; and every penny we receive from memberships, lets, events and funding is reinvested back into our venues and funds the services that we provide – therefore shutting our venues and therefore freezing customers’ memberships has huge consequences for us and also the health of Edinburgh.

“While our customers won’t be able to keep active with Edinburgh Leisure for the time being, we will be looking at offering advice to our customers on tips for keeping moving remotely and access to classes via ‘Les Mills on demand’ so that customers can workout at home.

"And providing advice from Public Health Scotland allows people to not require to totally self-isolate, there is also the option of going for a walk or run outside.

“We really hope that once the situation passes that customers will return to Edinburgh Leisure venues to keep active and stay active once again and to continue supporting us as they have done for the last 22 years.”
RELATED STORIES
Sport England begins period of 'significant flexibility' to support physical activity sector


Sport England has initiated a three-month period of "significant flexibility" as part of plans to offer targeted support to organisations struggling with the effects of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
Leading industry bodies call for special measures to keep leisure facilities afloat


Leading trade bodies representing the physical activity sector have called on the government to introduce "urgent additional measures" in order to keep gyms and leisure facilities afloat during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.
Coronavirus: ukactive issues guidance for health and fitness sector


Physical activity body ukactive has issued guidance and recommendations for how UK fitness operators and facilities should deal with a suspected case of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
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Brain plasticity could be improved by manipulating the gut microbiome
Manipulating the gut microbiome could become a powerful tool for preserving brain health and resilience as people age, according to research led by Professor Paola Tognini, a neuroscientist at the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa, Italy.
Jessica Sloyan establishes UK Academy of Sound and Therapeutic Arts
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ISPA releases full 2026 US Spa Industry Study as annual industry revenue rises by US$1bn
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Embrace the chill: TechnoAlpin's Snowsky revolutionises post-fitness recovery with falling snow
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
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Voya Organic Beauty

Voya Organic Beauty, founded in 2006 in Ireland by Mark Walton and Kira Guckian Walton, is a private [more...]
+ More profiles  
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+ More catalogues  

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23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
31 Aug - 02 Sep 2026

SpaTec North America

Pier Sixty Six, Fort Lauderdale, United States
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ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS