ANDOVER Leisure Centre will reopen in August, almost five months after it closed due to Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

The West Street site has been closed since March 20 following the government’s directive that leisure centres across the country should close to help curb the spread of coronavirus.

And even though prime minister Boris Johnson allowed indoor gyms and leisure centres to reopen as of Saturday, July 25, Andover’s facility remained closed.

Now, though, the company that manages the site, Places Leisure, has confirmed that the Andover Leisure Centre will reopen on August 12, along with various other sports facilities in the borough.

Councillor Phil North, leader of the borough council, which owns the town’s Leisure Centre, took to social media to comment on the news.

He wrote: “I'm pleased to report that Places Leisure have today confirmed that they will be reopening Andover Leisure Centre, Charlton Lakeside, Knightwood Leisure Centre and the Romsey Rapids on Wednesday, August 12.

“Customer FAQs and a list of opening times and available activities will shortly be available on the Test Valley page of the Places Leisure website.

“I'm disappointed on behalf of residents that they weren’t able to reopen on July 25, when they were legally able to, but I understand they've been working closely with Public Health England and consulting with their trade body UkActive, to make sure that they are able to welcome customers back as safely as possible.

“They will have a busy couple of weeks ahead getting the centres ready for everyone to return, including putting in place enhanced cleaning regimes and social distancing measures, but this is really great news.

“I know lots of you are keen to get back to the facilities and I'm pleased they will be open with a majority of the summer holidays left to enjoy them.”

Places Leisure has been contacted for more information on the situation.

Prior to closing its doors on March 20, Andover Leisure Centre was temporarily shut down after a visitor later tested positive for Covid-19.

The site was subject to a ‘deep clean’ and remained closed for two days, before a nationwide lockdown was imposed just over a week later.

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