Hundreds of leisure facilities could close permanently or be unable
to reopen without urgent funding which would damage the nation’s
health and undermine the Government’s plans to tackle obesity,
councils warn today.
Councils are working closely with leisure centres and
swimming pools in their areas as they look to try and reopen from
this weekend. However, significant losses of income during this
period has left many leisure providers on the brink of financial
collapse.
The Government is set to announce plans to tackle the
obesity crisis to get the nation fit and ready to deal with any
second wave of COVID-19. The Local Government Association, which
represents councils in England and Wales, said that leisure
facilities are a key tool in this national effort but they need
urgent funding to cover loss of income, maintenance and utility
costs.
Many leisure providers are concerned that memberships and
visits to facilities will not return to pre-pandemic levels for
some time, meaning they will be unable to generate the income
needed to cover the service costs of reopening.
Whilst some people have been able to take the opportunity
to try online classes and new forms of exercise during lockdown,
many others have seen their activity levels decrease and a number
of leading health experts, including the Royal College of
Paediatrics and Child Health have warned that the lockdown has
worsened the epidemic in childhood obesity.
The LGA also said the coronavirus pandemic has hit those
from more deprived backgrounds and the black, Asian and minority
ethnic community hardest, whether that be through deaths, digital
poverty or a lack of accessibility to parks, private gardens and
green spaces to exercise.
Obesity and physical inactivity are the biggest public
health challenges we face, and councils are already stepping up
and working with the Government and partners to help our
communities live healthier and more active lives. With over a
quarter of children aged 2-15 and 62 per cent of adults in
England overweight or obese, and at an increased risk from
diseases such as diabetes and cancer, the LGA said access to
leisure facilities will play a key part in managing and reducing
long-term health conditions.
Cllr , Chair of the LGA’s Culture, Tourism and Sport
Board, said:
“Communities are excited by the return of cherished leisure
facilities from this weekend. But many providers are in serious
trouble and, without urgent government support, there is a real
risk that our leisure facilities will disappear.
“Exercising regularly is clearly a great way to get healthy
and tackle obesity. A more active community is a healthier,
stronger and more prosperous community but the lockdown has
increased physical inactivity and unhealthy eating habits for
some families.
“The Government urgently needs to provide funding to ensure
leisure facilities stay open to all communities and recognises
their role in the fight against obesity, inactivity and poor
mental health, which in turn will help to save the NHS being
overburdened in the future.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
Councils currently spend more than £1 billion a year on
sport, leisure and green spaces, parks and playgrounds, providing
communities with access to vital facilities to improve their
physical and mental wellbeing.
The LGA has written to Culture Secretary to further highlight these concerns and seek a
solution.
LGA report: Towards a healthy weight:
How local councils are supporting adults lose
weight
Government statistics on obesity can be found here.
Swim England analysis
suggests that up to 10 per cent of the 5,000 swimming pools in
England will remain shut following the coronavirus
pandemic.
