ALL seven of Brighton and Hove's leisure centres are set to reopen on April 12, the council has confirmed.

Most activities will be on offer at sites across the city including gym, swimming and racket sports facilities.

However, due to ongoing lockdown restrictions, group exercise classes will not be available straight away.

The King Alfred Leisure Centre, Withdean Sports Complex and Prince Regent Swimming Complex, along with smaller community facilities located in Moulsecoomb, Portslade, Whitehawk and Queens Park are operated by Freedom Leisure in partnership with Brighton and Hove City Council.

All centres will have Covid-secure measures in place when they reopen to keep staff and visitors safe by minimising the risk of spreading coronavirus.

Freedom Leisure managing director Ivan Horsfall Turner said: "We look forward to seeing everyone using their local leisure centre again, and the teams can’t wait to get back to providing our local communities with opportunities for exercise, activity and the chance to socialise safely.

"We are so grateful to our customers for their patience, support and loyalty once again during the closure of the centres."

April 12 marks the start of Step 2 of the government's "roadmap" to lifting lockdown restrictions, and will see several significant changes to existing safety measures.

Non-essential retail can reopen from this date, so long as businesses operate in a Covid-secure way with social distancing measures in place.

Gyms, personal care premises such as hairdressers and nail salons and public buildings including libraries and community centres will be permitted to welcome visitors once again.

And most outdoor attractions and settings including outdoor hospitality venues, zoos, theme parks, and drive-in cinemas, and self-contained accommodation such as campsites and holiday lets can also reopen.

Hospitality venues will be allowed to serve people outdoors, and the substantial meal requirement when ordering alcoholic drinks has been scrapped.