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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).
MORE NEWS
HCM News: Taking GLP-1s is linked to a decline in physical activity
People taking GLP-1 weight loss medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound may be losing weight, but they’re also becoming less physically active, according to new research presented at the ENDO 2026 annual meeting of the Endocrine Society
Mubadala makes €1 billion bid for Pierre and Vacances
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed €1 billion offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the continental European Center Parcs business.
Synergy The Retreat Show launches resource for retreat business leaders to showcase specialisms
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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).
MORE NEWS
HCM News: Taking GLP-1s is linked to a decline in physical activity
People taking GLP-1 weight loss medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound may be losing weight, but they’re also becoming less physically active, according to new research presented at the ENDO 2026 annual meeting of the Endocrine Society
Mubadala makes €1 billion bid for Pierre and Vacances
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed €1 billion offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the continental European Center Parcs business.
Synergy The Retreat Show launches resource for retreat business leaders to showcase specialisms
Global retreat trade show, Synergy The Retreat Show, has launched a resource called The Source, which hosts an open-access online Transformation Series programme.
The SATCC announces first five-day Living with Cancer and Beyond retreat
The Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care (SATCC) charity has announced its first five- day Living with Cancer and Beyond retreat, which will be held at Carden Park Hotel and Spa in Cheshire, UK, between 1 and 5 September.
Palazzo di Varignana launches family wellbeing and longevity retreat in Emilia Romagna
Palazzo di Varignana, in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy, has created a new tailored health programme designed specifically for families.
Ansana Wellness and Spa debuts at Patmos Aktis as it joins Marriott
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FEATURED SUPPLIERS

Introducing Glass Act by Templespa
Introducing Glass Act, your new go-to eye serum for brighter, smoother, beautifully awakened eyes. [more...]

Why future-ready in-house laundry is the new luxury spa essential
In today’s premium spa environment, every detail shapes the guest experience – right down to the softness of towels and the freshness of linens. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Blu Spas, Inc.

Blu is a full-service firm offering project feasibility, planning and design as well as operational [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

26-27 Jun 2026

The Longevity Show

Tobacco Docks, London, United Kingdom
03-05 Jul 2026

World Championship in Massage

Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
+ More diary  
 


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