Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed this morning that gyms are likely to be given the green light to reopen “in just a couple of weeks time”.
He appeared live on LBC this morning and took questions from the public.
Speaking to Nick Ferrari, the Prime Minister said: “We are going to reopen gyms as soon as we can do it in a COVID-secure way and I think that the date for reopening gyms at the moment, if we can do it, is in just a couple of weeks’ time.”
Boris Johnson says the government is trying to reopen theatres in a Covid-secure way "as soon as possible" but doesn't say if there will be financial support for the arts industry. #BorisOnLBC | Watch Live: https://t.co/wTagOJbxR2pic.twitter.com/KWaejaeNwu
The Prime Minister addressed the reopening of gyms upon Nick Ferrari’s questioning of why lockdown guidelines in England enable members of the public to “go to the pub [but not] go to the gym” and it comes after the widespread frustration across the country, from both the fitness industry and eager gym users, that indoor gyms were not included in the plans to reopen along with many other sectors on 4th July.
Oliver Dowden, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, also discussed the reopening of gyms this week on social media, and with UK Active, in a tweet that read: “Grateful to health experts from Public Health England for visiting gyms this morning with to look at the safety measures in place”.
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“Gyms have been working hard on this and I pay tribute to all those helping to get them reopened as soon as we can”.
Grateful to health experts from Public Health England for visiting gyms this morning with @_ukactive@DCMS to look at the safety measures in place#Gyms have been working hard on this & I pay tribute to all those helping to get them reopened as soon as we can!@Sport_Englandhttps://t.co/Ca24QGlJIi
Speaking ahead of Public Health England’s visit this week, Huw Edwards, Chief Executive of UK Active – which represents thousands of gyms and leisure centres in the UK – said: “Many people will be understandably frustrated by the decision not to reopen the fitness and leisure sector from 4 July,”
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“Our sector’s safety standards are among the highest in Europe, where other nations have already reopened their gyms and leisure facilities safely.”
“We have invited government and health officials to visit any of the hundreds of gym and leisure centre show sites across the country, and witness how facilities would operate with thorough social distancing measures and hygiene standards in place.”
“Any further delay to our reopening will threaten our nation’s recovery from COVID-19.”
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“With obesity the second largest cause of hospitalisation from this virus, gyms and leisure centres are equipped to not only combat COVID-19, but to support rehabilitation for those recovering from the virus”.
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An exact official date for the reopening of gyms in the UK has not been confirmed at this moment in time.
Historic hidden library in Manchester city centre reveals £11m transformation plans
Emily Sergeant
Ambitious plans to transform one of Manchester’s greatest historical hidden gems have been announced.
Founded all the way back in 1806, The Portico Library – which is hidden in plain sight on Mosley Street, in the heart of the city centre – played a central role in Manchester’s rise as the world’s first modern city, and since then, it has been serving as a window into the past and a providing a place of inspiration for anyone who needs it.
But now, these new transformation plans, titled The Reunited Project, will ensure the building not only survives, but also thrives as the UK’s most sustainable historic library for generations to come.
The Portico Library‘s transformational scheme is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and will look to ‘reunite’ the historic building’s three floors for the first time in over a century, creating a fully-accessible and sustainable cultural library.
Crucially, plans will see a step-free entrance and lift installed to make the library accessible to all.
There’ll also be new exhibition and event spaces introduced as part of the scheme to explore the stories of Manchester’s communities and the city’s heritage.
There will a Northern Bookshop, showcasing regional and emerging writers, and independent publishers, as well as a creative Portico Kitchen, which will celebrate the city’s food culture, writing, and history.
A place for school groups, families, and all people to explore Portico’s collection and experiment creatively also forms part of the plans.
“Portico Reunited is about more than restoring a building,” explained Dr Thom Keep, who is a Librarian & the Chief Executive of the Portico Library, after the transformation plans were submitted to Manchester City Council.
“It’s about opening doors to stories, ideas, heritage and communities across Greater Manchester.
“These plans secure Portico’s future, unlocking the power of heritage to inspire Manchester’s visitors and residents to explore, share, and celebrate their stories and the city’s literary and global heritage.”
If the plans are approved by the Council, The Portico Library will close for around 18 months for construction, during which it will continue to engage the public through its ‘Portigo !’ pop-up programme.
Featured Image – Portico Library
News
Government announces homebuying overhaul to fix country’s ‘broken’ housing system
Emily Sergeant
The Government has announced what it’s calling the biggest shakeup to the homebuying system in this country’s history.
In a bid to ‘rewire a chaotic system which has become a barrier to homeownership for thousands nationwide, the Government has today (Monday 6 October) unveiled proposals that it says will speed up the long-drawn out and costly process of buying a home by four weeks.
The Housing Secretary says this will not only save people money, but unnecessary stress too.
The proposed new plans would see sellers and estate agents required to provide buyers with ‘vital’ information about a property upfront – including the condition of the home, leasehold costs, and chains of people waiting to move.
It’s hoped this will help end any last-minute chain collapses and ultimately give greater confidence to first-time buyers when they’re making one of life’s most important decisions.
The Government has announced plans to fix the country’s ‘broken’ housing system / Credit: Benjamin Elliott (via Unsplash)
Binding contracts could also be introduced to stop people walking away from agreements after buyers painstakingly spend months in negotiations to hopefully halve the number of failed transactions.
The new reforms are also proposing that prospective buyers are provided with side-by-side information on estate agents and conveyancers, including their track record and expertise, alongside new mandatory qualifications and Code of Practice to drive up standards and work to rebuild trust in the industry.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer took to Twitter this morning to address the proposed new homebuying overhaul, commenting: “I promised that my Government would fix the broken housing system.
“Buying or selling a home will be faster, unlocking the dream of homeownership and allowing hardworking people to focus on the next chapter of their lives. That’s national renewal.”
I promised that my government would fix the broken housing system.
Buying or selling a home will be faster, unlocking the dream of homeownership and allowing hardworking people to focus on the next chapter of their lives.
The Manc -
3rd July 2020 
