MORE than 10,000 members have returned to leisure centres operated by BH Live across Bournemouth and Poole.

Managers said more than half of the area’s 20,000 members have reactivated their memberships since centres started to reopen from the end of July.

Now they have urged others to return to exercise as coronavirus restrictions continue to affect people’s lives.

And they have offered free one day passes to anyone who wants to try out the facilities.

BH Live runs the Littledown Centre, Pelhams, Stokewood, Corfe Mullen, Queens Park and Sir David English centres.

It also runs seven centres in Portsmouth including the Mountbatten and Pyramids as well as specialist gymnastics and tennis centre..

Enhanced cleaning regimes and social distancing measures have been introduced but BH Live Head of Leisure, Rob Cunningham, said members still have the option to freeze their memberships further if they wish to do so.

They were initially offered a freeze of up to three months from the end of July but now people can add an extra two months if they wish to do so.

Mr Cunningham said: “We understand that some people may still be concerned but we have enhanced cleaning, social distancing, and hand sanitisers.

“Numbers have been reduced in the gym, the pool and in classes and showers are available for those that wish to use them.”

BH Live also operates the Bournemouth International Centre, the Pavilion Theatre and the Fairfield Halls entertainment venue in Croydon.

A total of 200 jobs have been placed at risk across the whole organisation but Mr Cunningham said few customer-facing roles in leisure centres are affected.

Four of the BH Live centres in Bournemouth and Poole opened in July with Sir David English reopening on September 7 and Queens Park on October 5.

Swimming pools,gyms and classes are all open and opportunities to use the facilities are increasing. The only thing to remain closed is spa facilities due to social distancing.

Mr Cunningham said he is confident more people will return to leisure centres during the winter months.

He added: “Exercise is so important for people’s wellbeing. It offers the benefit of leisure, health and well-being.”

Go to lp.bhliveactive.org.uk/guestpass/ for a free one day pass.