Active Tameside centres to close during lockdown

The announcement of the second national lockdown means that Active Tameside venues will have to close from Thursday (5 November). 

Chris Rushton, CEO, has released a statement in which he said: "It is with deep regret that I can confirm the closure of all Active Tameside centres to the general public from midnight on Wednesday November 4th for a minimum of four weeks". 

Since their phased reopening from July, they have hosted the best part of 150,000 bookings. 

The company said they will be working during this second lockdown to find solutions which are “safe and equitable in nature but ultimately viable” in regards to their reduced group exercise classes.   

They’d like to assure visitors that they will not “lose out” and would like to thank everyone for the continued support and loyalty during the initial lockdown and phased reopening.

The company say they plan to “emerge as a truly essential not for profit service in a post-COVID world”.  

Active have 11 venues across the borough, meaning the closure will affect funding fundamentally, but hopefully they will proceed after lockdown with a clean, safe environment like the one established from July onwards. 

The decision to close all venues from 10pm on Wednesday night (4 November) means access to gyms, swimming pools, group exercise studios and health suites will no longer be available.  

Active Tameside has issued an update to members about membership and booking payments. 

Health and fitness memberships

• With the decision to close all Active Tameside venues to the public from 10pm on Wednesday November 4th, this means access to the gyms, swimming pools, group exercise studios and health suites will no longer be available.
• Health and fitness members who pay by direct debit will automatically have their direct debit payments frozen until our centres reopen.
• You do not need to cancel your direct debit.
• If you are a customer who has paid all membership fees upfront, the period of closure will be added to your membership expiry date.

Swimming lessons

• All swimming lessons run by Active Tameside will cease from 10.00pm on Wednesday November 4th.
• Swimming lesson customers who pay by direct debit will automatically have their direct debit payments frozen until lessons resume.
• You do not need to cancel your direct debit.
• If you are a swimming lesson customer who pays in 14-week blocks, your credits will be held for the remaining lessons that you have paid for until swimming lessons resume.
• Please note all swimming lesson members will hold their place in their current class, day and time when lessons resume.

Existing bookings for casual users

• If you already have an existing booking for the following activities: Gym, Lane Swimming, Classes, Clip ‘n’ Climb, High Ropes, Ducklings, Wally Walrus and Parent & Tot sessions; a credit will automatically be issued to your account so that you can re-book once activities resume.
• If you have an existing bowling booking, you will automatically be refunded.

Gymnastics lessons

• All gymnastics lessons run by Active Tameside will cease from 10.00pm on Wednesday November 4th.
• Gymnastics lesson customers who pay by direct debit will automatically have their direct debit payments frozen until lessons resume.
• You do not need to cancel your direct debit.
• If you are a gymnastics lesson customer who pays in 14-week blocks, your credits will be held for the remaining lessons that you have paid for until gymnastics lessons resume.
• Please note all gymnastics lesson members will hold their place in their current class, day and time when lessons resume.

Pitches, courts and block booking customers

• All block bookings with Active Tameside will cease from 10.00pm on Wednesday November 4th.
• Block booking customers who pay by direct debit will automatically have their direct debit payments frozen until further notice.
• You do not need to cancel your direct debit.
• If you pay weekly for your booking, no charges will be added to your account.

Attractions Annual Pass holders

If you have an Annual Pass, you can choose one of the following:

• Have your pass frozen, so that the period of closure will be added on to your membership expiry date.
• Be refunded for the remaining duration of your Annual Pass, up to the extended expiry date you received due to lockdown.

You should email your choice to attractions@activetameside.com.