Calderdale Council has responded to Government advice on coronavirus by closing many of its public leisure and culture venues for at least 12 weeks.
From 5pm on Friday, March 20, 2020, council-run sports and leisure centres, museums, the Victoria Theatre and the Shay Stadium will close.
All libraries are now closed too.
But some services – such as waste collection – will mainly continue as normal.
The closures will be for 12 weeks initially, and the situation will be reviewed as it develops.
Which buildings will close from 5pm on Friday?
- All Council-run sports and leisure centres – that’s Brighouse Swimming Pool and Fitness Centre, Halifax Swimming Pool, North Bridge Leisure Centre in Halifax, Sowerby Bridge Swimming Pool and Fitness Centre, Todmorden Sports Centre, Queens Road Gym and Mixenden Activity Centre. No public activities will be taking place in any of these buildings, including school swimming lessons. All Direct Debit payments for memberships will be suspended for the closure period. For members who have paid cash in advance, their membership will be extended by the length of the closure period.
- All Council-run museums – that’s Shibden Hall and Bankfield Museum in Halifax, Heptonstall Museum and Smith Art Gallery in Brighouse. Following Government advice, the planned Anne Lister birthday celebration events will no longer be going ahead, to help slow the spread of the virus. It is hoped that events will be rescheduled later in the year. Follow #ALBC2020 on Twitter for more information.
- The Victoria Theatre, Halifax – for details of cancelled and postponed events, refunds and other updates, please visit www.victoriatheatre.co.uk/visit/booking/covid19 and follow @VicTheatre on Twitter and Victoria Theatre Halifax on Facebook.
- The Shay Stadium, Halifax – all FC Halifax Town football matches and Halifax Rugby League Club games have already been cancelled, but as the venue is also used for other functions and meetings, it will also be closing to the public for these purposes.
- Libraries.
- Council-run markets
What will carry on as normal?
- The Council’s Customer First service in Halifax, Todmorden and Brighouse will continue to operate as normal to support residents. Some changes to service delivery have been made to protect staff and customers. If you, or someone you live with, have any symptoms of COVID-19, meaning you need to stay at home, please do not attend but contact the council online at www.calderdale.gov.uk or on 01422 288001.
- Waste collections in Calderdale are currently continuing as normal. The council is closely monitoring the situation and will keep residents updated with any changes.
- The Register Office in Halifax will still be open, but is limiting the number of people present at registration appointments to a maximum of two. If you, or someone you live with, have any symptoms of COVID-19 / are staying at home, please do not attend your appointment and contact the Register Office for further advice. Details on birth and death registrations, marriage and civil partnership notices / ceremonies, ordering certificates, and contact details are available at www.calderdale.gov.uk
For updates on closures and other information, follow the Council’s social media: @Calderdale on Twitter, and Calderdale Council on Facebook, and visit www.calderdale.gov.uk
