Fitness lovers will be able to get back to Holbrook's sport centre next month.

Leisure centres across Babergh will follow a phased re-opening from 27 July, and the sports centre in Holbrook is due to start back on August 11, with users playing an important role in making sure the facilities can operate safely.

This includes the Holbrook Hornets, who were highly commended as runners up in the Suffolk FA's Grassroots awards, and use the centre as its base.

Membership will remain frozen until the centres open and will not need to be renewed until the full term has expired.

Abbeycroft Leisure, the not-for-profit social enterprise which manage Babergh District Council's leisure centres in Holbrook, Sudbury, Hadleigh and East Bergholt, has a comprehensive plan in place for the phased starting of activities, and is guiding their members through the new ways they'll be using the space.

Cllr Derek Davis, cabinet member for communities at Babergh District Council, said: "It's wonderful that we now have a clear picture about when customers can return to our leisure centres to get active again.

"Our partners, Abbeycroft Leisure, have been making sure the necessary safety and social distancing measures are in place ready for customers to return in the safest way possible.

"While leisure staff have done a great job in supporting customers to exercise at home during the temporary closure, this announcement is obviously welcome and will support the longer term health and recovery of our communities.

"This, in addition to the exciting upgrades currently taking place at Hadleigh Pool and Leisure and Kingfisher Leisure Centre, will ensure our residents have healthy futures in the place we're proud to call home."

Warren Smyth, CEO of Abbeycroft Leisure, said: "Our aim is to welcome everyone back safely and in accordance with the guidance. The phased reopening means not everything will be open to begin with, but we will be working closely with customers to keep this under review.

"Things will be a little different. We have worked with experts to introduce new measures and procedures and would ask customers to take a few minutes to familiarise themselves with some of these changes at www.acleisure.com/comeback."

All users will need to be registered and pre-book their sessions, which is a legal requirement to support the national NHS Test and Trace service. This can be done easily online at www.acleisure.com/comeback and customers needing help can contact the call centre on 01284 757473.

All members will receive an update explaining that their membership, which was frozen when lockdown began, will be restarted only when they are ready to come back.

The leisure centres will be cashless and customers will need contactless payment for purchases at reception and the cafés. They are advised to bring the minimum necessary with them, and while toilets will be available, showers won't. More details on what is necessary is available on Abbeycroft Leisure's website at www.acleisure.com/comeback.

A fair usage policy will ensure everyone who wishes to can book a session. Initially, this means that gym sessions will last no more than 60 minutes and there will be no more than one group exercise class per member per day, with all the changes kept under review to maximise opportunities for customers.

Cleanliness remains a priority and customers are being asked to do their bit while staff follow the rigorous new regimes. Users are asked to sanitise their hands on entering and leaving exercise areas, clean down the equipment they have used with cleaning product provided and inform staff of anything that needs attention.

Staff will be thoroughly cleaning equipment between sessions and continuously cleaning high touch areas with a disinfectant known to kill viruses like COVID-19.

For more detailed, centre specific opening dates, times and activities, visit [L]https://www.acleisure.com/comeback/[L+]www.acleisure.com/comeback[L+]