'We can't believe it's happening': Overwhelming feelings of frustration as Northampton’s leisure facilities to close again

A number of local leisure businesses have spoken out about their frustrations surrounding the second lockdown.

From Thursday (November 5), the leisure industry including gyms, soft play centres, swimming pools, bowling alleys, golf courses and more will have to close once again as a national lockdown is imposed until December 2.

For many facilities, such as The Riverside Hub, reopening was short-lived after the business remained closed for five months from the first lockdown, which hit the owners exceptionally hard.

Now they are frustrated that their industry will be struggle once again as businesses have to close their doors for at least a month.

Valentina Potter, director of Riverside Hub, said: “We can’t believe it’s happening.

“We don’t know if we will be able to reopen in December or not, as last time he shut us for three weeks we were shut for five months.

“We don’t know whether to decorate for Christmas and make reopening plans or not.

“This time around we can claim £3,000 a month, but our rent is around £1,000 a day, so it won’t stretch much.

“Non-payment is not an option for us so it’s one of those things, we just have to grin and bear it, it’s just frustrating.”

Ellis Potter, husband and fellow director, added: “November will now be a write off for us. We are closed from Thursday and it will be a tough old month for us.

“I’m remaining optimistic about reopening on December 2, but we will see what develops.

“We’ve been grateful for every day we have been able to open and thankfully everyone who has visited has commented how safe they felt.

“We know we have been doing the right thing, but this is obviously bigger than us.”

In another section of the leisure industry that will close later this week - swimming pools - concerns are growing about athletes falling behind in training for future games.

Director of swimming at Northampton Swimming Club, Jacquie Marshall, said: “We’re devastated, to put it mildly.

“We battled our way through the first lockdown and worked really hard to secure funding, which made up for the closure and now we’re back into lockdown again.

“I just hope it does only last four weeks, but I’m pretty sure it will last longer.

“The swimmers are just back to where they should be and now we have to start over again.

“They can’t train even though the Olympic and Paralympic Games will happen.

“The rest of the world are competing and training and now we can’t even train.

“We’re trying to stay positive, but that is a big worry. It’s demoralising and it’s hard for morale among the swimmers.”

Jacquie is also frustrated that swimming pools have shut this time around, but professional football and rugby games can continue.

She added: “We are operating in a Covid secure way where swimmers are basically in a pool of disinfectant.

“It’s a shame that some sport based on money can continue and other sport can’t.

“This is an organised sport running in a Covid-secure way, it’s not just members of the public fancying swim.

“Children are at school together and then swim in a bubble here so why can’t they carry on? It’s quite sad.

“I understand that we can’t afford for the NHS to be overwhelmed, but there are secure ways of doing things.

“I think I’d understand more if the schools were closed too. Education is really important and I’m glad schools are staying open, it’s just a shame sport can’t too when it’s in a Covid-safe way.”

The Northampton Swimming Team are now preparing to keep members engaged as they did during the first national lockdown with Zoom meetings and more.

Boost Trampoline Park in Riverside will also, once again, close from Thursday this week, after spending money earlier in the year on making the facility Covid-safe.

In a message sent to clients, bosses said: “From the start of this pandemic, we’ve followed government guidance and done our best to keep you all safe. This week is no different.

“We’ll be closing our doors on Wednesday evening, re-opening on the 3rd December in line with the national lockdown.

“To those that have supported local businesses like ours, thank you.

“To those that have supported local economies by following the guidance where possible, thank you.

“If we don’t see you this week, we’ll see you next month. Stay safe, and take care of each other.”

Businesses in the entertainment, hospitality and personal care industries will also shut from Thursday for a month.

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