A HEALTH club firm has announced how it plans to welcome back Colchester members after lockdown.

Bannatyne will reopen its Colchester site at Kingsford Park on April 12 following Boris Johnson's roadmap out of lockdown being announced.

The company undertook an extensive assessment of the Covid-19 infection risk to members and staff prior to reopening last year and said it made changes to its working practices to reduce the risk of transmission in its sites.

There will not be a booking system for gym or pools but teams will monitor attendance and one will be on standby if necessary.

Bannatyne says Covid secure procedures include:

• Compulsory wearing of face masks in the clubs except when exercising

• Hand sanitising stations

• Enhanced cleaning procedures

• Cashless transactions using contactless payment or the Bannatyne 360 wristband

• Equipment and CV machines has been spaced to achieve social distancing and prominent floor markings on the gym floor to remind members about ‘’working out’’ safely

• Water fountains will be out of use and members are advised to bring their own water/drink

• All dining and cafe bar tables will be appropriately spaced to maintain social distancing

• Some lockers will be out of action, together with some showers in order that social distancing is achieved in these areas

• Members are advised to arrive ‘gym ready’ to avoid too many people in changing rooms

• A team member will carry out periodic headcount checks in the pool area, which may result in some people being asked to wait in the changing areas for a few minutes, at busy times, until a space becomes available

• Spas will also carry out the tried and tested Covid safety measures put in place in 2020

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Ken Campling, chief financial officer of The Bannatyne Group, said: “It is tremendous news that we can welcome members back to our Essex clubs in April.

“It has been a long and difficult twelve months but there is finally light at the end of the tunnel. It is disappointing that classes cannot take place, but we hope that they will resume before too long.

“All our clubs have robust Covid safety measures in place, above the recommendations of UK Active. However, there are other concerns we are going to be working hard to support members with, including the risk of injury after many months away from the gym, and we will be announcing some exciting initiatives over the next few weeks.”