Live Borders closes venues from tomorrow due to Coronavirus pandemic

The ongoing Coronavirus outbreak has notched up another victim — the vast majority of Live Borders venues across the region.
Live Borders' headquarters in Galashiels.Live Borders' headquarters in Galashiels.
Live Borders' headquarters in Galashiels.

The charity will be closing all of its venues from close of play tomorrow (Friday March 20) apart from the Heart of Hawick café and Harestanes Countryside Visitor Centre.

The news follows the announcement from First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, that schools will close from tomorrow.

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Anyone with a membership to its facilities, which includes gyms and swimming pools, will be contacted by the charity soon.

Ewan Jackson, chief executive officer of Live Borders, said: “These are unprecedented and challenging times for everyone.

“Thank you to all staff and customers for their patience and understanding as we work hard to navigate a very fluid and ever changing situation around COVID-19.

“Like so many others affected by this pandemic, it is worrying times for everyone, including our staff.

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“We remain committed to the wellbeing of our teams and to ensuring our staff are supported.

“Live Borders is a charity and every penny we receive is reinvested into supporting active, creative and healthy communities in the Borders.

“In the coming days, we will be in touch with all our members with regards to their memberships and with those who have booked events to coordinate moving forward. We ask people to bear with us through this process.

“We are investigating digital options to maintain contact with our communities, with online videos linked to our health, culture, leisure and sports offerings – and with our digital library there are books and magazines available 24/7.

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“The inclusive play park and countryside walks at Harestanes are unaffected, allowing those it is appropriate for to get outside and enjoy the fresh air.

“There are businesses which operate from Heart of Hawick and we will support them to remain open, while we are able.

“We have adjusted the café to increase space between tables, providing a hub for members of the community to come together, should they wish to.

“We will be in touch with all our customers, members and users to update them on all developments as they happen. In the meantime, we hope everyone stays safe.

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“By working as a community in these difficult times, we will come out the other side stronger.”

There is no indication as to how long the venues will remain closed and the charity says it will be guided by advice from the Government and Public Health Scotland as to when they can be reopened.

Like every customer-facing business, Live Borders has been receiving a high volume of calls, emails and messages and it has ensured the public that the teams are responding as efficiently and effectively as possible.

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