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South Tyneside Leisure members are being given a special reward this festive season as Council-run centres reopen tomorrow (Thursday 3 December).

The Borough's leisure facilities are welcoming back visitors this week in line with coronavirus restrictions being relaxed across the country. However, while swim and gym sessions can resume, under the new Tier 3 restrictions imposed on South Tyneside, indoor group exercise classes are not permitted.

As a special 'thank you' for members' ongoing support, the Council has announced that direct debit memberships payments will remain frozen until 15 January 2021, giving all Duo and Multi-activity, and pay yearly, leisure members one FREE month of unlimited leisure use.

Payments had been suspended while leisure centres were closed under the national lockdown.

Councillor Joan Atkinson, Deputy Leader of Â鶹ÊÓƵ with responsibility for Culture and Leisure, said: "We are very much looking forward to reopening our leisure centres and welcoming back visitors once again. Our teams have worked incredibly hard over these past months to ensure the safety of staff and visitors in line with the Government restrictions in place.

"Unfortunately, the Tier 3 restrictions imposed on South Tyneside at this time mean that we are not allowed to resume our indoor group exercise classes. We appreciate that this will be really disappointing for many of our members who enjoy coming to our centres specifically for fitness sessions or have classes selected as part of their 'Duo' option.

"We are determined to help keep the people of South Tyneside active over the winter after so many disruptions to their fitness regime. It's so important for maintaining good health, so for this reason - and in the great spirit of Christmas - we are giving our membership holders one free month. Regardless of the membership type, members can come and use the gyms and pools for free."

In addition to the free month of leisure use, an exclusive offer is available giving leisure members the opportunity to sign up for a 60-day free trial of virtual Les Mills fitness classes (Terms and conditions apply).

Les Mills on Demand enables people to work out in the comfort of their own home while still being led by some of the world's best instructors. With more than 1,000 workouts to choose from across 13 categories, there is something for all fitness levels.

To coincide with leisure centres reopening, the Council has also launched a new online bookings system to make it easier for people with Multi or Duo activity and pay yearly memberships, to reserve their sessions in advance.

Within hours of being launched on Monday morning, more than 2,000 bookings were made via the new system.

Councillor Atkinson said: "To see people embracing our new online bookings and expressing their eagerness to get back to our centres is a real boost for our leisure services. It has been a very challenging year for everyone. We would like to thank all of our leisure members for their continued support and patience during these difficult times."

Leisure memberships and payments will remain under review to coincide with any changes in restrictions that impact on Council leisure services.

Those who pay their memberships upfront for the full year will have the free month added onto their membership expiry date. For all remaining members, their direct debit payments will start again on 15 January and 1 February respectively.

All members, regardless of membership category, will be able to book for the swimming pools and gyms for free from Monday (7 December). Members do not need to do anything. The change for bookings will happen automatically.

For further information about Â鶹ÊÓƵ leisure services, including details of memberships, session bookings and Les Mills On Demand, visit www.southtyneside.gov.uk/leisure