This is when leisure centres will reopen in Hartlepool and what measures will be in place

Mill House Leisure Centre, Brierton Sports Centre, the Headland Sports Centre and Summerhill Visitor Centre are all due to re-open during August to enable people to make the comeback to physical activity and a healthier lifestyle.

From Monday, July 20, a limited programme of outdoor fitness classes will be taking place at the Brierton and Summerhill Centres.

But the first facility to open its doors to the public will be Brierton Sports Centre on the week commencing August 4. The outdoor 3G sports pitch, often used by Hartlepool United Football Club, will be available for bookings and the main sports hall has been converted into a large gym.

Mill House Leisure Centre will follow shortly afterwards and the Headland Sports Centre and Summerhill Visitor Centre are expected to re-open by the end of August.

Mill House Leisure Centre will initially be available for club training, although the pools will be open for both club and public recreational swimming.

Alongside Summerhill Visitor Centre, Headland Sports Centre will host fitness classes, but it will also provide space to enable activities such as badminton or table tennis to take place.

Councillor Shane Moore, leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “This is a significant step forward as we continue to emerge from lockdown, and I’m pleased that we are now in a position to be able to plan for the re-opening of these key facilities.

“We strongly believe that there are no circumstances where exercise is not a good thing and we are delighted to be opening up our exercise facilities for our customers again. We look forward to welcoming them back.

“The safety of customers and staff is our top priority and a lot of work is being carried out to enable people to make the comeback with confidence.”

Safety measures will include staff training on coronavirus management as well as a staff guide added signage to offer clear guidance on what to do.

Rigorous cleaning and decontamination procedures will be in place to ensure gym facilities are safe.

Number restrictions and advance bookings will also be in place to ensure social distancing can be observed.

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