Swimming pools across leisure centres in the Cotswolds are set to reopen this weekend following a four month closure due to coronavirus.

Everyone Active’s leisure centres in Cirencester, Bourton-on-the-Water and Chipping Campden, which are managed in partnership with Cotswold District Council will reopen their pools for public swimming on Saturday.

Swimming lessons will restart the following weekend, on Saturday, August 22.

The reopening of swimming pools follows the phased approach to reopening activities across the centres, after they initially reopened to the public on August 1 for gym and group exercise access.

A variety of measures have been introduced across the facilities to help keep customers safe, which include booking in advance for sessions and fewer lessons within the pool at any one time, to allow for both children and swimming teachers to social distance.

Lesson times will be staggered so there will be fewer classes starting and finishing at the same time and only one parent/guardian is asked to attend with a child, to reduce the number of people in the centre.

Sally Thomas-Ellis, Everyone Active’s regional contract manager, said: “After a successful reopening of our gyms and studios, we’re pleased to take the next step in our phased reopening plan and get everyone active in our swimming pools again!

“The pandemic has undoubtedly had a significant impact on Everyone Active.

"Consequently, we have negotiated with all of our local authority partners to find the best way to move forward and reopen our leisure facilities.

"Therefore, the reopening of some of our facilities, including swimming, were delayed due to the lack of funding available to us.

“Ensuring we maintain a safe environment for our colleagues and customers is our number one priority and we have carefully considered the strict measurements to ensure we adhere to the guidance.

"We encourage visitors to read through the changes we are making so we can maintain a safe environment for everyone.

“Thank you to everyone for their patience during this time.”

Cotswold District Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, Cllr Jenny Forde, added: “I don't think we fully realised how much we value and need our swimming pools until we didn't have them anymore.

"I'm so happy for residents that we have been able to support the reopening of the pools, I have no doubt the slots will fill very fast.”

For more information on Everyone Active’s reopening measures, visit www.everyoneactive.com