Hat-trick for leisure centres as Covid testing starts in Cheadle

Published on 15 March 2021

South Moorlands Leisure Centre in Cheadle today (Monday 15 March) joins the centres in Biddulph and Leek as it opens as a community testing centre for people without Covid symptoms.

The centres, provided by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and operated by Parkwood Leisure, are currently unable to open as usual due to the national lockdown.

Testing at these sites is for people without symptoms and, whilst people should stay at home except for essential reasons, those who do need to go out are encouraged to get tested.

Councillor Mark Deaville, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Leisure and Sports, said: "We are delighted that South Moorlands is joining our leisure centres in Biddulph and Leek as a community testing centre.

"The centres are always at the heart of promoting good health and active lifestyles and I'm really proud of the key role leisure staff are now playing in helping to combat coronavirus - the biggest collective health challenge in our lifetimes.

"We're all looking forward to being able to welcome people back to use the facilities and attend classes when the restrictions allow but, in the meantime, there couldn't be a better, more fitting use, for these community places and we're delighted to be playing our part in helping to stop Covid spreading."

People can just walk in to get a rapid test, subject to availability, or book a slot online at https://staffordshire.zipporah.co.uk/TrackAndTrace

Council Leader, Councillor Sybil Ralphs, said: "The Government has been clear that the gradual re-opening it outlined in its roadmap will only happen if conditions allow. So if we want to see the return of the things we love and have missed so much over the past year, then we all need to do what we can to make sure we bring infection rates down and keep them down.

"Testing is one of the ways we can arrest the spread of the virus and it is something we can all do. With the opening of the centre in Cheadle, we now have testing  available in each of our three towns and I would encourage people to play their part and take up this offer."