Parks facilities, markets and leisure centres shut

Main image: Hengrove Play Park

Following Government and Public Health England guidance around the Coronavirus situation – Bristol City Council has closed leisure centres and a number of facilities in the city’s parks in the interest of public safety.

Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol said: “Today, leisure centres, St Nicholas Markets as well as several facilities in our parks including cafes, toilets and multi-use play areas have temporarily closed.

“These measures are being put in place immediately to delay the spread of the virus and to protect our citizens, as these are places where people congregate. 

“Please remember that many businesses across the city are continuing to provide fresh groceries and ready meals through home delivery and collections, including the Source based at St Nicholas Markets.  

“If you are going for a walk in one of our parks please be sensible and take notice of the government’s advice around social distancing – make sure you are two meters or more away from other people at all times. We all have a duty to protect the vulnerable.

“If as a city we do not do this, then the government is likely to put tougher restrictions in place – and we do not want this happen, as parks and green spaces are so important to people’s mental health.”

. These new measures include temporary closure of:

• All leisure centres
• St Nicholas Markets
• Blaise Nursery retail outlet
• Bristol City Council run park cafes and kiosks at Hengrove Play Park, Ashton Court, Blaise Estate, Oldbury Court Estate, Canford Park and St George Park
• Toilets on all sites
• Hengrove Play Park play equipment
• Cabot Tower
• All parks car parks – Redcatch Park, Ashton Court Estate, Blaise Estate, Oldbury Court Estate, Snuff Mills, Eastville Park, and Netham Park
• St Andrews Park paddling pool
• Netham pavilion
• Ashton Court miniature railway
• Bowling greens as well as removal of goalposts and ‘last man standing’ cricket
• The golf hub at Ashton Court

The council is seeking residents’ cooperation to stay away from other facilities. These include:

• Children’s play areas in parks
• Wheels parks and multi-use games areas
• Park shelters
• Sport facilities for formal or informal sports

To protect members of the public from undue risk, anyone who has tested positively for coronavirus or who is self-isolating should stay at home.

Bristol City Council website now has a hub page with all the latest up to date information.