The Prime Minister has today confirmed that Step 4 of the lockdown roadmap will not now take place on June 21st as was originally envisaged.
A delay of at least four weeks means that current COVID Secure protocols will remain in place with particular regard to social distancing and the wearing of face coverings.
From an Active Tameside perspective, this means that capacity restrictions and associated booking regimes will remain in place until Step 4 is initiated.
I know that aquatic capacity in particular is a cause of huge frustration for many as we try to balance pool programmes which incorporate the interests of schools and clubs as well as casual swimmers and those on learn to swim programmes. It’s worth noting however that it is ‘safe’ changing room capacity as opposed to that of the pools themselves which dictates permissible numbers at any given time.
I’m also aware of the frustrations of those who are desperate to use facilities which have yet to reopen such as thermal suites and soft play areas. In these instances, our risk assessments have exposed the impracticality of opening safely within current COVID restrictions.
As a charity dedicated to the health and wellbeing of the community as a whole, operating at 50% of pre-pandemic capacity (as is the case with aquatics) but over 100% of pre-pandemic costs is an ongoing threat to our viability. Nevertheless, we remain confident that we will emerge from the pandemic as a key stakeholder in the quest to ‘build back better’ and I therefore seek your patience and support as we negotiate the final hurdles of what will hopefully be the last lockdown.
Finally, it’s already obvious that when Step 4 eventually arrives, it will not automatically precipitate an overnight return to pre-pandemic operations and that an incremental approach to the ‘new normal’ will be necessary in terms of booking protocols in particular. Naturally, we’re currently working on post lockdown protocols and these will incorporate the feedback that we receive on a daily basis – it’s fair to say that there are divergent views on what constitutes best practice!
From Day One, we have sought to put the safety of our staff and customers at the heart of our deliberations for which there was and is, no ‘play book’. The fact that our app which was launched just before the initial lockdown has now been downloaded over 20,000 times and has facilitated hundreds of thousands of bookings would suggest very high levels of customer loyalty and team member resilience in equal measure and for this I am both grateful and proud.
Kind regards,
Chris
Our gyms, pools and group exercise classes are open and booking for all activities (either via our app or online) is essential. You can find out more by following the links below.
Members can book classes, gym sessions and lane swims 8 days in advance. If you wish to book on a casual (‘pay and go’) basis, you will be able to book 7 days in advance. Please note that if you are not a member, you will need to create a casual account in order to book.
Please take the time to read our latest booking and cancellation policy here.
Bowling Zone at Tameside Wellness Centre in Denton is open, and Clip ‘n’ Climb & High Ropes at Adventure Medlock is open at weekends. Booking for these activities is now available. Please follow the links below for more information and safety procedures.
Please note that, unless you are exempt, you must wear a face mask whilst entering, moving around and exiting our buildings. You do not have to wear a mask whilst exercising.
Information for existing fitness members
Information for casual members and how to create a casual account to be able to book
Information about our current swimming sessions
Information about swimming lessons
Information about gymnastics lessons
Bowling Zone at Tameside Wellness Centre
Clip ‘n’ Climb and High Ropes at Adventure Medlock
During the course of the pandemic, Active Medlock has hosted adult social care services for the most vulnerable people within the community.
The vulnerability of the clients, in combination with social distancing requirements, has meant that Active Medlock has operated as a hybrid centre, i.e. not open to the general public when adult social care services are being provided.
It is the case therefore that only when social distancing requirements in social care settings are fully lifted, will consideration be given to the potential for a return to pre-pandemic opening hours at Active Medlock.
The lockdown road map indicates that Stage Four, which incorporates the lifting of all legal limits on social contact, will not occur until June 21st at the earliest and at this point operations at Active Medlock will be fully reviewed.
We completely understand the frustrations of our loyal customers and share the aspiration for a return to ‘normality’.
In the meantime, we ask you once again for your forbearance.
The Active Tameside Team
Fitness membership: membership@activetameside.com
Swimming lessons: swimminglessons@activetameside.com
Gymnastics: gymnastics@activetameside.com
Live Active: liveactive@activetameside.com
Alternatively, please call: 0161 260 1192.
We receive a high volume of calls and emails, so please bear with us and we will respond as soon as possible.
Choose from iconic favourites such as BODYPUMP, BODYCOMBAT, BODYATTACK, BODYBALANCE, GRIT, LES MILLS CORE and more, with new classes added quarterly – included in our Active Premier membership!
To register your interest about becoming a member, please fill in the form below and we will be in touch as soon as we can.
Active Tameside is a registered charity, which means our fundamental purpose is to deliver public benefit and address inequalities. In keeping with this, all our surplus revenue is reinvested into our services.
We deliver a wide range of leisure facility and community-based services that generate participation in physical activity and sport, to improve health and wellbeing, predominantly in the Tameside area but also with our partners across Greater Manchester.
You can read more about us here.
