Hitchin's Archers Gym and swim centre are set to receive a Covid financial support package from North Herts District Council.

At its cabinet meeting on Tuesday, North Herts District Council (NHDC) proposed a further package of financial support to help maintain sport and leisure provision at Archers Gym and Hitchin Swim Centre along with North Herts Leisure Centre in Letchworth and the Royston Leisure Centre.

The facilities, operated by Stevenage Leisure Ltd (SLL) under a contract with NHDC, have been heavily impacted by coronavirus since the start of the pandemic.

This has been a national trend affecting fitness and leisure facilities throughout the UK.

In order to restrict the potential spread of Covid and reduce the risk to members of the public, the government instructed all gyms and leisure centres to close in March and again in the period of national restrictions during November.

The loss of income caused by closures and social distancing measures, together with ongoing running costs, has seriously threatened the viability of sport and leisure provision at the centres.

These concerns prompted NHDC's cabinet to propose additional funding to cover the closure in November and in case there are further restrictions that require temporary closure, so that the facilities can remain viable and available for residents.

Councillor Steve Jarvis, NHDC's Executive Member for Leisure said: "The leisure centres are really important assets for our local community.

"Their loss would have a negative impact on the health and wellbeing of residents in North Herts at the worst possible time.

"It is therefore important that we provide the necessary financial assistance to safeguard their future."

The measures will be voted on by full council on January 21, 2021.