SATURDAY IS A SPLASH HIT FOR FANS OF TOWN'S ENDURING ACTIVITIES' CENTRE

ONLY ONE IN FIVE OF INDOOR POOLS OPENED TO THE PUBLIC IN ENGLAND TODAY

IT was the day for swimmers to make a big splash and eager gym goers to work up a sweat, while yoga devotees adjusted to social distancing.

And after four months of pent-up frustrations from Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, fans of Atherstone's enduring leisure complex were just glad the doors were finally open.

Liza Bennett took pole position this morning as the Long Street venue's first customer for activities that now have to be pre-booked in these much-changed times.

Joni Louise Smith said it was "fabulous" to get back in the water and staff couldn't stop thanking the customers for returning.

The message from Atherstone LC went out: "We have missed you all and it was great to see so many happy faces after your workouts."

"Day one is now complete, and what a day it was."

Only around a fifth of pools in England opened on Saturday, the head of the national governing body for swimming.

But Jane Nickerson, chief executive of Swim England, praised the hidden value of centres like Atherstone LC.

She said: "We know every single pool returns around £7.2 million in community benefits – in social cohesion, crime prevention, education attainment and health benefits."

It was earlier this month that Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden announced July 25 would be the date for the return of indoor pools and gyms and the town's leisure complex told Nub News: "We cannot wait to welcome everyone through our doors."

Tomorrow the centre is open from 9am to 2pm and Monday from7am to 9.30pm. To pre-book either call 01827719321 or for the online bookings click here