Swimming is Back in manchester

IMPORTANT: All swim sessions must be booked in advance online or via the app before your visit.

To book a swim session, click on your local swimming pool below and follow the instructions. You can find book the first 5 online or via the Better UK app. If you want to know how to download and use the App, click here.

Moss Side Leisure Centre
Arcadia Library & Leisure Centre
Hough End Leisure Centre
East Manchester Leisure Centre
North City Family & Fitness Centre
Manchester Aquatics Centre

For Wythenshawe Forum, customers can book using the Everyone Active app.

For the following facilities not operated on behalf of the Council:

Withington Baths & Leisure Centre
Broadway Leisure Centre 

Can I use the swimming pool? 
For a limited number of swim activities, you can use the swimming pools once you have pre-booked a session. Bookings are available for people to book once per day for a one-hour session. Lane sessions will be available for all ages and over 16’s do not need to be accompanied by an adult. However, they will need to follow the laned session and COVID etiquette as per an adult. 
 

Will my child’s swimming lesson restart? 
All parents and guardians will be contacted by the centre via email to let them know when their lesson time and day will be returning. Watch this video to see the new procedures put in place and for more information, you can visit here. 

What about other swimming sessions such as Family Swims? 
The swimming pools will be open for lane swimming. Family swimming will be available across weekends only in some leisure centres. Please make sure to check if your nearest leisure centre is available and book in advance. Unfortunately, there won’t be other swim sessions available straight away. We’ll be reviewing this on a regular basis and will let you know when these can restart. 

Before attending your booked swim session in Manchester, watch this video to get an idea on the measures introduced and differences to your usual visit across our centres for your reassurance and guidance.

You can also watch centre specific videos in advance of your visit to get an additional understanding on what to expect before you visit;

Moss Side Leisure Centre (See VIDEO )
Arcadia Library & Leisure Centre (See VIDEO)
Hough End Leisure Centre (See VIDEO)
East Manchester Leisure Centre (See VIDEO)
North City Family & Fitness Centre (See VIDEO)
Wythenshawe Forum (See VIDEO)

Capacity in the swimming pool will be modified and please remember that people of different standards and abilities will be using the pool at the same time, so please respect everyone’s right to enjoy their swim. 
 
When entering the pool, please select the correct lane for your ability – slow, medium, or fast – and choose an appropriate stroke, so for example, please do not swim butterfly if the lane is busy.
 
Please follow the directional arrows and do not make physical contact with other swimmers.
 
When using the pool, please don’t overtake other swimmers to allow for a safe distance at all times.
 
There’ll be no swimming equipment available. If you wish to use a noodle or float, then you must bring your own.
 
Swim session booking: All swim sessions will need to be pre-booked.
 
No more than 10 swimmers in each lane of a 25-metre pool.

We urge all staff and members to be responsible for creating a clean and safe environment for everyone. The following will be implemented to achieve this:

• Training: Our staff have undertaken increased training modules on COVID-19 prevention and have been instructed to use cleaning kits as often as possible.
• Sanitisation stations: Hand sanitisation will be compulsory when entering the centre and stations will be located throughout for access to sanitisation and equipment cleaning supplies
• Protection: We have installed plastic protective shields at reception desks and will be providing PPE for our staff in line with Public Health England (PHE) recommendations
• Enhanced cleaning process: Our team will be carrying out regular cleaning and disinfection regimes throughout the day and we’re asking members to support this by cleaning each piece of equipment before and after their workout.
• Increased cleaning hours: The centre and equipment will be sanitised regularly throughout the day and will be deep cleaned every night when the centre closes.  Deep cleaning will also take place between every session ready for customers attending the next session slots.

Before attending a swim session in Manchester, watch this video to see the measures introduced and differences to your usual visit across our centres for your reassurance and guidance.

You can also watch centre specific videos in advance of your visit to get an additional understanding on what to expect before you visit;

Moss Side Leisure Centre (See VIDEO )
Arcadia Library & Leisure Centre (See VIDEO)
Hough End Leisure Centre (See VIDEO)
East Manchester Leisure Centre (See VIDEO)
North City Family & Fitness Centre (See VIDEO)
Wythenshawe Forum (See VIDEO)

For additional measures implemented for the following centres, click here;

Arcadia Leisure Centre
East Manchester Leisure Centre
Hough End Leisure Centre
Moss Side Leisure Centre
North City Family & Fitness Centre

For Wythenshawe Forum, click here.

Yes. Across all our centres, we’re confident in our competence to minimise the risk of infection and keep our members and staff safe. We’ll be implementing increased cleaning procedures to ensure the highest standards of cleanliness and disinfection and will have consistent social distancing measures in place to create a safe environment for you.

We’re also asking members and staff not to visit the centre if they feel unwell or have COVID-19 symptoms and there will be clear signage to reflect this.

Will hand sanitiser and cleaning supplies be provided in the centre? 
Yes. It’ll be compulsory for members and staff to use hand sanitiser at the entrance of all centres. There’ll also be numerous sanitisation stations located throughout centres. Antibacterial spray and blue roll will be provided for you to clean your equipment and mats before and after use. 

Will staff be wearing PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)? 
In line with Public Health England and UK Active guidance, staff will be provided with adequate PPE to ensure both their own safety and yours. Public Health England guidance states that PPE should be used where physical distancing can’t be maintained, or the possibility for exposure is high so members of staff will be wearing PPE where the social distancing rule can't be adhered to, when providing care or undertaking close proximity work. 

Staff have also undertaken increased training modules on COVID-19 prevention and have been instructed to use cleaning kits as often as possible. 

How can I, as a member help? 
Please contribute to keeping our centres clean by sanitising your hands upon entry to the centre and using our hygiene stations and disposable wipes. We’re asking members to support hygiene by cleaning each piece of equipment before and after their workout.

We're asking everyone to come beach-ready for your session in the pool. Avoid turning up without a pre booked activity. If you have not booked, you will be asked when greeted at reception to book before entering via app or shown how to book online in centre (if available).  

Please wait outside and away from the entrance or in your car until your booked time slot. 

Will there be changes to the centre opening hours?
Following Government guidelines, we may be offering restricted hours initially to ensure everyone’s health and safety, where pool opening times vary, please check in advance.

Do members need to wear masks?
Across our facilities staff & customers must wear face masks, and as per the latest Government guidelines, it is not recommended that customers wear masks whilst exercising. Current Government guidance also states that you must wear a face mask in concourse areas – which will apply to the Wythenshawe Forum only, but members are able to take it off once through the turnstiles and in the facility.

How do I check in for my activity upon arrival?
There’ll be someone to meet and greet you to show you the way. You will be manually checked-in by a member of staff. Please follow social distancing rules. The check-in for your pre booking upon arrival will be distanced and contactless. Forum TBC. 

Is there a time limit on my visit?
We ask that customers only book one session per day, so everyone has the opportunity to utilise the facilities.

Members will be able to book their session up-to 7-days in advance. Non-members will be able to book their session up-to 5-days in advance. Customers need to pre book visits via Better UK. For Wythenshawe Forum, customers can book via Everyone Active.

Please consider other members and only book one session per day to allow as many people as possible to benefit from exercise and physical activity whilst capacity is limited. All bookings are limited to an hour.

However, customers at Wythenshawe Forum will be able to book other activities per day including 1 swim session (when available). This will be reviewed on a regular basis and will update you if we are able to unwind this.

Do I need to arrive early for my session? 
Please ensure you arrive on time. If you arrive early, you’ll need to queue outside and if you arrive late, you won’t be allowed access to the leisure centre. 

Wythenshawe Forum Only - Will my Everyone Active Card let me swipe through the turnstiles?
Access through the turnstiles will be based on bookings alone. Members will be able to gain entry at the turnstiles 5 minutes before the time of booking and through the gym doors / turnstiles 2 minutes before the time of booking only.

Withington Baths and Leisure Centre Only – Will there be any changes to visits?  
Withington Baths and Leisure Centre will be offering classes (in a reduced and staggered way), lane swimming, swimming lessons and gym.

There will be a booking system for all classes (reduced capacity of 15 per class) but no booking for the lane swimming or gym. However, numbers will be limited to a maximum of 27 in the pool (as per Swim England guidelines) and 25 in the gym (with every other piece of CV equipment out of use). Busy sessions in the pool will be on a band system and the gym will be monitored at peak times to ensure we do not exceed our revised capacity. 

What happens if I can no longer make my booked session? 
Wythenshawe Forum - Activities & classes can be cancelled either online or via the Everyone Active app. If you are unable to attend such bookings, you must cancel as soon as possible. If your booking was not included in your membership cost and paid for, you will be required to contact your centre to cancel and arrange a refund or change of session. If you cancel within four hours of your booked class or activity start time, you may be subject to a penalty charge of £4.00.

We understand things come up and you may need to cancel your workout. Out of consideration for fellow members, we ask that you cancel your booking no later than 2 hours before the activity start time to allow another member to take your time slot. You can manage and cancel your bookings through the Better UK app.

Will there be changing rooms and lockers available? 
The changing rooms will be open but to adhere to social distancing, showers and lockers will be limited and in / out of use to support social distancing measures.

If possible, we encourage you to shower and get changed at home.

For Arcadia, Moss Side, North City, East Manchester and Hough End Leisure Centres toilets will remain open, changing rooms and showers will be open for swimmers only, changing rooms and showers will not be available for gym / fitness class users.

Pre-booked sessions: All activities must be pre-booked via Better UK. For Wythenshawe Forum, customers can book via Everyone Active. 

Social distancing signage: Floor markers will be applied to show where to stand and where relevant, directional signs indicating one-way systems. 

Revised capacities for all activities: To avoid overcrowding, we’ll be limiting how many people can access the gym, swimming pool and group exercise classes at any one time.

Workout classes: Capped attendance, so class-goers can keep to a safe distance at all times. No member interaction or shared equipment.  

Fewer showers and changing rooms: If possible, we ask that people shower and change at home after their activity. 

There will be no water in use across the centres. Bring your own water bottle and stay hydrated. Please also bring with you a towel and hand sanitiser, if possible. 

I am over 70, can I still come to the centre? 
Those who are not shielding at home are more than welcome to visit the centre. Please remember that all activities must be pre-booked before attending via the Better UK app. For Wythenshawe Forum, customers can book using the Everyone Active app.  
 
Can I access other centres if my main centre is at capacity? 
Yes, other centres will be opening city wide access to give as much flexibility as possible during this reopening period.  
 
Members of the following centres can access any of the other facilities: Moss Side Leisure Centre, Arcadia Library & Leisure Centre, Hough End Leisure Centre, East Manchester Leisure Centre and North City Family & Fitnes Centre. 

If Wythenshawe Forum is not your home centre, you can still access the facilities but will be asked to pay a day rate and book a session online.
 
How will I receive support with my fitness journey if I don’t want to come back to the centre straight away/I can’t make it as much as I used to before lockdown? 
You can still access various activities from our centres to get involved with at home, giving a range of activities to help move more each day and stay healthy while you’re not at the centre.

You can continue to check this website for regular updates and any impact across Manchester. We’ll also continue to use MCRactive Facebook, Instagram and Twitter as a central resource for everyone to understand the changing landscape, where we also welcome feedback or questions for anyone wanting to know more. 

You can sign-up for ‘MCRactive Voice’ here to receive fortnightly updates and information direct to your inbox OR visit Everyone On Demand or Better UK app. 
 
Can I bring a friend using a day pass? 
When we reopen, we’ll be looking out for our members to ensure that they’re able to return to the centre. Unfortunately, day passes won’t be accepted until further notice. 
 
I usually work out with a friend. Can I still do this? 
Please be mindful of social distancing measures and limitations to physical contact. You may need to adapt your training, for example, you won’t be able to spot each other or share weights.  

You shouldn’t share any equipment without cleaning first. 
 
If I feel unwell, what should I do? 
If you, or anyone in your household, feels unwell or have COVID-19 symptoms, please stay at home, and don’t visit the centre. 
 
What do I do if another member breaches the guidelines? 
Please inform a member of staff. We ask all members and staff to adhere to guidelines and will be operating a zero-tolerance policy. 
 
When will you be lifting the restrictions? 
We will continue to follow guidance from the Government, Sport England, Public Health England, UK Active and Swim England to make sure we keep you safe.  We will ease restrictions when we have been advised that it is safe to do so. We will keep you updated regularly.

For anything else, please contact your pool directly, we're here to help on our journey back to being active together, and understanding how this 'new normal' works for all.