Irvine’s Portal gym facilities are set to be back open from Saturday with swimming still considered unsafe amid the ongoing easing of coronavirus restrictions.

KA Leisure and North Ayrshire Council say they are working hand-in-hand to safeguard the health and wellbeing of customers as lockdown eases and leisure facilities begin to re-open.

Leisure bosses agreed a phased re-opening plan for indoor venues with fitness activity at Auchenharvie Leisure Centre and Vikingar restarting yesterday (Monday).

This will be followed by the re-launch of fitness activities at the Portal on Saturday, September 5, along with the re-introduction of a small number of sports courts.

The projected financial loss to KA Leisure will be approximately £2.8million.

North Ayrshire Council Leader Joe Cullinane said: “This has not been an easy time for anyone and we know that leisure trusts across the country have found it particularly challenging.

“We know just how important these facilities are to our local communities and that’s why we are doing everything in our power not just to re-open services, but to re-open them safely.”