Government Announces £100m Fund For Leisure Facilities

The UK Government has announced that £100 million will be made available for public leisure facilities in England.

The Secretary of State for DCMS, Oliver Dowden, announced the new fund to support leisure centres, meaning that local authorities will be able to bid for money from the fund.

The news comes on the back of an announcement by the Local Government Secretary, Robert Jenrick, who launched a wider £1 billion package for councils across the country.

Funding will be allocated to leisure centres most in need, with further details on the scheme to be set out at a later date.

Huw Edwards, CEO, ukactive, reacted to the news, saying: “This is a welcome investment, especially as much of society is facing deepening challenges, where tougher restrictions and choices on support are being made. 

“Public leisure centres, alongside the wider fitness sector, play an essential role improving the health of people, irrespective of age or background. 

“They are crucial in fighting COVID-19 through improving people’s physical health and making them more resilient to the virus, and then supporting the rehabilitation of people recovering from this virus, and helping people’s mental health.

“A strong fitness and leisure sector is good for the country as it drives business growth, creates jobs and innovation on the high street, and improves the nation’s health. All these characteristics have to be part of our national renewal post-COVID.”

The news comes after Steve Rotheram, the Metro Mayor for the Liverpool City region, wrote to the Government asking for a review of the decision to close gyms in Liverpool as part of the new Tier 3 restrictions on the area.

Rotheram has said gyms in Liverpool will now reopen on 23rd October.