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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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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).
MORE NEWS
Almost half of spa survey respondents are unaware cancer is a disability and not adapting treatments is discrimination
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that cancer is a disability and guests with a cancer diagnosis must be given
Solmar Hotels and Resorts offers Temazcal ceremony for Global Wellness Day
Mexican operator, Solmar Hotels and Resorts, is hosting a series of events in celebration of Global Wellness Day, including a Temazcal ceremony at its Playa Grande Resort and Spa in Los Cabos.
Mandarin Oriental announces standalone Mansions-branded residences for Abu Dhabi
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Healing sanctuary Tulah Clinical Wellness opens in Kerala
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Introducing Silent Loads: Wildsmith’s newest advancement in personalised wellbeing
In a world where imbalance often accumulates quietly, Wildsmith unveils its newest wellbeing innovation: Silent Loads, an approach designed to meet the needs of modern spa guests with precision and depth. [more...]

Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. - bespoke means moving beyond the catalogue to delivering contextual design responses
Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. doesn't offer a standard bespoke service, it provides a highly customised approach to designing massage beds and loungers in high-end wellness environments. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
The Wellness

Founded in 2007, headquartered in Dubai and based in Hong Kong and Singapore, The Wellness is an int [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
09-12 Jun 2026

W3Spa EMEA

Hotel Cascais Miragem Health & Spa, Portugal
+ 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