Boris Johnson has rejected calls to keep gyms, tennis courts, golf courses and swimming pools open during England’s pending four-week national lockdown.
Under the new restrictions – which will be voted on in Parliament on Wednesday and are expected to come into force at 00:01 GMT on Thursday 5th November – the prime minister has ordered indoor and outdoor sports and leisure facilities to close for the four week duration.
A number of sporting bodies have thus sought to challenge the government’s shutdown of these facilities.
But in an address to MPs in the House of Commons yesterday afternoon, Mr Johnson offered them little hope of success and instead suggested that unpicking parts of the lockdown would mean “the effectiveness of the whole package is compromised”.
When questioned on the matter by a number of MPs, Mr Johnson insisted that it is “difficult to take out one part of the Jenga block without disturbing the whole package”.
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James Sunderland – Conservative MP for Bracknell – told the Prime Minister he had been contacted by many constituents concerned about the closure of gyms, golf clubs and tennis clubs and went on to ask: “Given the proven benefits of exercise and the lack of any clear evidence that these activities have contributed to an increase in the R rate, might the prime minister be willing to reconsider the current guidance within the next four weeks?,”
But Mr Johnson replied: “Once you unpick at one thing, alas, the effectiveness of the whole package is compromised.
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He continued: “That is why I want everybody to work together for the next four weeks, as I say, to get the R under control so that we can open things up again in time for December.”
Boris Johnson is pressed on the science behind the decision to close gyms and golf clubs, despite efforts to ensure they are Covid-safe
Another Tory MP, Stephen Metcalfe, asked the Prime Minister to review the rules around socially distanced outdoor sports such as golf and tennis, and Labour MP Kevan Jones – who highlighted the “valiant efforts” of golf clubs and gyms to ensure they are COVID-safe – urged Mr Johnson to publish the scientific data behind the decision to close such sports facilities.
When pressed further by Conservative MP Peter Aldous who asked the Prime Minister to rethink the rules on activities “that can take place in a socially distanced and responsible way”, such as outdoor swimming, Mr Johnson said the government would “look at any exceptions that we can sensibly make”,
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But then added: “It is difficult to take out one part of the Jenga block without disturbing the whole package.”
The resisting of these calls came after Mr Johnson defended the decision to introduce the regional three tier system in October following a growing number of senior Conservative backbenchers signalling their opposition to the measures due to come into effect on Thursday, and despite Labour stating that his failure to act sooner will have cost lives and caused further damage to the economy.
Setting out why the lockdown is now needed, Mr Johnson said to MPs: “At the end of four weeks, on Wednesday 2nd December, we will seek to ease restrictions, going back into the tiered system on a local and regional basis according to the latest data and trends.”
He continued: “Models of our scientists suggest that unless we act now, we could see deaths over the winter that are twice as bad or more compared with the first wave.”
“Faced with these latest figures, there is no alternative but to take further action at a national level.”
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For the latest information, guidance and support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the UK, please do refer to official sources at gov.uk/coronavirus.
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Four Manchester museums and galleries shortlisted for the ‘Oscars of the museum world’
Danny Jones
It’s official: four museums and galleries in Manchester have been shortlisted for what this particular scene dubs as the ‘Oscar’ equivalent of annual awards.
All located right here in the city centre, the quartet of cultural institutions are all famous not only in their own specific fields here in the North West, but nationwide and, indeed, all over Europe and beyond.
That being said, having this fantastic four-piece all nominated for the 2026 Museums + Heritage Awards together in the same year is a testament to just how blessed the Greater Manchester region is in this department.
Sponsored by Altair Media Ltd, the places in question are the Science and Industry Museum, Manchester Art Gallery, as well as the National Football and Manchester Museum. Congratulations!
Credit: Publicity picture/Lee McLean/PA Media Assignments (supplied)
While the National Football Museum and Manchester Art Gallery have been nominated for group-wide accolades – the Visitor Welcome and Team of the Year awards, respectively – the other two have been selected for a pair of specific projects.
In the case of Science and Industry (SIM), they’ve been spotlighted for the highly anticipated opening of the new and improved ‘Power Hall’, finally relaunched this past October, along with the accompanying Andrew Law Gallery, which could win both Permanent Exhibition and/or Sustainable Project of the Year.
What a haul that would be.
As for Manchester Museum, their memorable world premiere of The Cat That Slept for a Thousand Years has been shortlisted for ‘Temporary or Touring Exhibition of the Year’.
Debuting back in July 2025, it wrapped up last September and has since moved over to the likes of the Wakefield Exchange in Yorkshire, where it’s still on display until Sunday, 12 April.
If you fancy a day trip to see a big, glowing and very cute cat, it’s well worth booking a day out to go and see it for yourself.
Shazia Butt, Manchester City Council‘s Executive Member for Culture, Corporate Property, Crime and Policing, said: “We’re very lucky in Manchester to have so many incredible, creative and world-class museums and galleries right here on our doorstep, providing inspiration, learning, energy and fun, as well as spaces to rest and reflect, free of charge every day of the week.
“We know that visiting museums and heritage sites is the most popular cultural pastime for our residents, with over 73% of people saying they loved to visit in a recent survey – and with the calibre of these amazing spaces and what they offer in the city, it’s not hard to understand why.
“It’s fantastic to see this backbone of our cultural offer in Manchester being recognised in this way up there amongst the very best of museums and galleries nationally and internationally.”
Once again, well done to all those involved in making these venues so amazing and well worthy of the already award-winning status, as this particular nomination is just the latest in a lasting lineage of recognition that all of these wonderful spaces have earned over decades. Long may it continue.
The awards ceremony itself will take place on Wednesday, 13 May at the Park Lane Hilton down in London; best of luck to those flying the Manc flag for us – not that they need it.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied)/The Manc Group
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Salford RLFC issue statement as head coach Mike Grady departs after less than three months
Danny Jones
Salford Rugby League Football Club have issued an official statement following the departure of head coach Mike Grady, who has left the role after less than three months in the job.
It has been insisted that this is not a sacking, but rather a joint decision to terminate his contract.
Grady, who took up the mantle at the start of this project following the end of the Salford Red Devils era, was only appointed on 5 January.
He had previously been in charge of the Red Devils’ women’s side over the past couple of years, but moved over to hopefully lead this new era forward.
As you can see, the club confirmed in a statement that they and Grady have “mutually agreed to part ways due to changes in his personal circumstances.”
They go on to write: “We are forever indebted to Mike for his unwavering commitment to the club. We want to thank him for all his hard work since taking on the role as Head Coach in very challenging circumstances in December.”
Also sharing a comment from former player turned CEO, Ryan Brierley, he said: “Mike came in as Coach at a time when the club had just come through one of its toughest times with the double impact of relegation and liquidation.
“He was willing to roll up his sleeves and bring stability to the club on the pitch. The fact we were able to field a team against Oldham in January, after only three weeks, speaks volumes about his commitment and determination. To beat Hunslet at home only four weeks later was a fantastic achievement.
“Mike will always be remembered as the person [who] strived and achieved the objective of sending out the first Salford team of this new era. A team running onto the pitch, after so much hard work, gave us all something to cheer about. We also remember how well he successfully guided our women’s team to third and fourth place finishes in the Championship.”
Sharing his own farewell message, he went on to add: “I want to thank Ryan for the opportunity to represent this great club and fan base. What we created at the start of the year was pretty special, and I’m proud to have built that.
“I’m happy to leave the club in a better place than I found it and wish the club all the best for the future.” Salford RLFC have already assured that they are now recruiting for his replacement.
The Manc -
3rd November 2020 
