8/10/2020 Coronavirus: Leisure services in 'perilous' financial position - BBC News

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Coronavirus: Leisure services in 'perilous' financial position

2 hours ago

Coronavirus pandemic

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Public sports facilities across Scotland are facing the threat of permanent closure as a
result of the lockdown.

Charitable trusts which run services like gyms and swimming pools for councils have warned
they are in a "perilous" financial position.

A letter obtained by BBC Good Morning Scotland outlines their fears.

Cosla said it is holding "detailed discussions" with the Scottish government over the impact of
Covid-19.

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8/10/2020 Coronavirus: Leisure services in 'perilous' financial position - BBC News

Leisure facilities across Scotland have had no income since they were forced to close when
the lockdown was introduced in March.

'Imminent threat'
Some outdoor sports, such as golf and bowls, were allowed to resume at the end of May.

But gyms, swimming pools and indoor sports courts are not scheduled to reopen until 14
September.

The letter to Cosla from umbrella body Community Leisure UK highlights the devastating
impact of the pandemic on the country's 27 charitable and leisure trusts.

In it, chairman Robin Strang warns: "The resulting loss in income has placed many trusts in a
financially perilous position, with the very existence of many at imminent threat."

REUTERS

Mr Strang highlights a recent survey which found 38% of members will be non-viable or in an
insecure position by the end of the year, growing to 70% inside 12 months.

It also reveals 450 contracted and casual staff have already been made redundant or planned
for redundancy.

And it forecasts more than 4,500 jobs are at risk, with those aged 18-34 most affected.

June Peebles, chief executive of Edinburgh Leisure, told Good Morning Scotland: "Public
leisure facilities throughout Scotland are facing huge financial challenges and it's fair to say
that we are in crisis."

She also highlighted that when facilities re-open physical distancing means their income will
be much lower than before.

Ms Peebles added: "Without financial support it is leaving swimming pools, gyms, libraries
throughout the country just not viable and they are such vital public services.

"More than ever at the moment good health and well being is so important and that's what we
deliver."
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8/10/2020 Coronavirus: Leisure services in 'perilous' financial position - BBC News

'Venues will close'

She added that about 900 of her staff remain on furlough and called on Cosla to deliver
"urgent" financial support to help the struggling sector.

Edinburgh Leisure alone estimate the impact of the crisis over a 12-month period could be
between £7m and £8m.

Ms Peebles said: "It is challenging for all of us but, without financial support, venues will
close."

At the weekend Edinburgh Leisure confirmed that just three public pools in the capital will
reopen when next month while seven will remain closed.

A Cosla spokesman said: "This is a confidential letter that was only sent to the Cosla
president on Friday and we will respond to it in person rather than via the media.

"What I can say is that Cosla is in detailed discussions with the Scottish government in
relation to the costs to the whole of local government as a result of Covid and the huge impact
that is being felt across all of the services that we deliver both ourselves and with partners to
communities across Scotland."

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Related Topics

Travel & leisure industry Coronavirus lockdown measures Leisure

Coronavirus pandemic Edinburgh

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