Editor’s leader

EDITORIAL UPFRONT

] DeeDee Doke

S&PA and COVID-19

Dealing with rapidly changing circumstances way beyond our control for the S&PA industry

t the time of going to print, the spread of COVID-19 was accelerating throughout the UK, with organisations’ plans and actions changing rapidly with government guidance. On 20 March, the Prime Minister ordered that gyms and leisure centres – along with bars, cafes and restaurants – close their doors immediately. While understandable under these extraordinary circumstances, it was a blow to fi tness operators and their customers and clients alike.

CIMSPA, along with other organisations in the sport & activity space, asked the government on A

18 March for fi nancial support for the sector in the form of comprehensive salary payment support, rental/ management fees reduction support, making gym memberships tax deductible for a stipulated period and, for public sector operators, additional support with cashfl ow, clarifi cation of local authority clients’ responsibility and the non-payment of management fees.

We will bring you news and insight about challenges and solutions for keeping our nation active and harnessing the power of sport & physical activity in these extraordinary times in your membership magazine going forward. Tell us your stories to share in the next issue of S&PA Professional.

At the same time, keep an eye on the CIMSPA web site, CIMSPA social channels and our digital news for updates to support you, your business and staff .

Stay healthy – and think sustainably.

Contact us by Twitter @SAPA_Pro and email at sandpa@redactive.co.uk

EDITORIAL Editor DeeDee Doke Assistant editor Patrick Appleton Senior designer Seija Tikkis Production editor Vanessa Townsend Contributors Colin Cottell, Dean Gurden, Graham Simons, Sue Weekes, Roisin Woolnough Picture editor Akin Falope Publishing director Aaron Nicholls ADVERTISING 020 7880 6230 Sales Annabel Boorman-Shiff er annabel.boorman-shiff er @ redactive.co.uk

PRODUCTION Production director Jane Easterman Senior production executive Rachel Young

SUBSCRIPTIONS S&PA Professional is available to selected members of the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (and is available on subscription to nonmembers). All member enquiries should be directed to CIMSPA. For enquiries from non-CIMSPA members, call 01580 883844 9117. © Redactive Publishing Ltd. S&PA Professional is published on behalf of the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) by Redactive Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.

This publication (and any part thereof) may not be reproduced, transmitted or stored in any print or electronic format (including but not limited to any online service, any database or any part of the internet) or in any other format in any media whatsoever, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Redactive Publishing Ltd accepts no liability for the accuracy of the contents or any opinions expressed herein. Printed by Gemini Press ISSN 2050-7747

CIMSPA ENQUIRIES Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity SportPark, Loughborough University, 3 Oakwood Drive, Loughborough, LE11 3QF

Tel 03438 360 200 E-mail info@cimspa.co.uk Web www.cimspa.co.uk

Recycle your magazine’s plastic wrap – check your local LDPE facilities to find out how.