Oswestry Leisure Centre is set to reopen on Saturday, bosses have confirmed.

Shropshire Community Leisure Trust, which runs five sports/fitness centres in the county has announced its reopening plans, with Shrewsbury Sports Village and Oswestry Leisure Centre set for the weekend, while Whitchurch Swimming Centre, Market Drayton Swimming & Fitness Centre and The Quarry in Shrewsbury town centre will remain closed.

Chris Stanbrook, Contract Manager for the trust said that while they are delighted with the opening, it will be with limited options because of social distancing guidelines.

He said: “Following the recent government announcement that indoor leisure facilities could reopen from July 25, and following lengthy discussions with the council, we will be reopening Shrewsbury Sports Village and Oswestry Leisure Centre from that date.

"There will be a reduced service on offer at each centre due to social distancing and safety guidelines. However, we are confident the measures we have in place will keep both customers and employees safe while we all adapt to this new way of operating.

“We will not be reopening Market Drayton Swimming & Fitness Centre, The Quarry and Whitchurch Swimming Pool on July 25, a decision made in conjunction with the council.

"At those centres, we have identified issues around our ability to enforce current social distancing and safety guidelines, which include strict rules around air ventilation.

“Once we are confident all safety considerations have been met, we will look to reopen Market Drayton Swimming & Fitness Centre, The Quarry and Whitchurch Swimming Pool.”

To conform with social distancing guidelines, the trust has utilised sports hall space at its centres, installing gym equipment such as running and rowing machines.

The trust team has also used café space, adapting it into mini gyms to allow as many customers as possible to get access to the fitness equipment of their choice.

Mr Stanbrook added: “We want our customers and employees to feel safe when they’re at our centre.

"Before we closed, we’d already introduced social distancing measures such as smaller class sizes, and more space between equipment.

“Reassuring our members and employees that coming to their centre is a safe thing to do has always been our number one reopening priority.

"People know how important a strong immune system is in fighting back against Covid-19, but it’s up to us to ensure we provide a safe place for customers to get their fitness fix, and a place colleagues can feel comfortable working in.”

For the full list of procedures to follow, visit the trust’s website www.shropshireleisurecentres.com/