Two Bucks-based leisure centres have backed a campaign to keep gyms open during lockdown 2.0.

The Government confirmed on October 31 that the national shutdown would come into play on November 5, lasting until December 2.

The current lockdown has seen all gyms in the country shut, just months after they were able to reopen in the summer.

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But Aqua Vale Swimming and Fitness Centre in Aylesbury and the Chiltern Pools and Gym in Amersham, which are both managed by sports and leisure operator Everyone Active, are backing a national campaign to reopen gyms during the second lockdown.

The national campaign is via a petition on the Parliament.uk website, which has so far accumulated nearly 600,000 signatures.

Sally Thomas-Ellis, Everyone Active’s regional contract manager for the Chiltern Pools and Gym Leisure Centre, said: “This is an incredibly difficult time for the leisure industry and The Chiltern Pools and Gym.

“We made the decision to keep Chesham Leisure Centre and Chalfont Leisure Centre closed once the first lockdown was over to allow for the planned £4m refurbishment works to take place.

“This meant The Chiltern Pools and Gym was serving all of our members across the area, helping them to look after their health and wellbeing in a Covid-secure environment throughout the pandemic.

Chris Williams, Everyone Active’s contract manager for the Aqua Vale, then added: “We are urging our members to get behind us and to support their local centre by signing the petition to encourage the Government to keep gyms open.

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“We're so proud of all our colleagues for their hard work and dedication to providing a safe environment for our customers and can’t wait to reopen our doors once again.”

To sign the petition, visit https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/333869.