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Sport England is planning to open its Small Grants programme to help ease the financial pressures put on sports clubs and organisations by the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak.

Therapists qualified in mental health interventions are being invited to get involved with a new, free therapy service to support vulnerable people during the coronavirus shutdown.

The UK fitness sector remains 'open until directed otherwise by the government' – and will continue to support the health of the nation as the UK adapts to life with Coronavirus.

More than a third (37 per cent) of women who work out at gyms and health clubs encounter unwanted romantic attention, such as requests for their phone number.

More than 100 sports clubs and organisations have already received grants from an emergency storm relief fund launched earlier this month.

Boutique boxing gym brand BXR London has revealed plans to open its second site at Battersea Power Station.

The Bee Network initiative – a joined-up cycling and walking network in Greater Manchester – could provide a national blueprint for improving the nation's health, while also reducing congestion and air pollution.

The iconic City Baths in Newcastle have reopened to the public following a complete restoration.

Wales and Real Madrid star Gareth Bale has launched an esports team – the second leisure venture the footballer has set up in the past 12 months.

A single minute of exercise per week is enough to provide health benefits to people over the age of 65.

David Lloyd Clubs has opened a pop-up restaurant designed specifically to complement positive mental health.

The Gym Group is set to continue its fast pace of growth in 2020, with plans to open around two new sites per month during the year.

The latest edition of the highly-successful This Girl Can Campaign has been celebrated for its "taboo- busting" and "brave" take on what female fitness really looks like.

Digme Fitness has acquired Another Space – the boutique studio arm of premium health club operator Third Space.

Happy New Year to all our readers! After a year that was packed with new attractions developments (see our 2019 review articles over the last couple of weeks), Attractions Management looks ahead to some of the biggest openings scheduled for 2020 ‒ from aquariums to theme parks.

1Rebel has signed a deal to enter the Middle Eastern fitness market, expanding the brand's plans to grow its footprint globally.

Equipment supplier Life Fitness has created on-demand digital programming for its commercial CV equipment.

England Netball has published its new Disability Strategy, in which it outlines plans to increase participation numbers among deaf and disabled women and girls.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Premier League are partnering to encourage primary school children across England and Wales to celebrate diversity.

Liverpool Football Club (LFC) has opened a first-stage public consultation exercise on the proposed expansion of the iconic Anfield Road Stand.

City Football Group (CFG), owner of Manchester City FC and a host of other clubs around the world, has secured a major investment deal with tech investment giants Silver Lake.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that the majority of adolescents worldwide are not sufficiently physically active, putting their current and future health at risk.

Gus Casely-Hayford, the British curator, cultural historian, broadcaster and lecturer, has been named as the inaugural director of V&A East – the museum's new expansion project scheduled to open in London in 2023.

Beachbody – the global fitness brand behind Insanity and P90X – has announced that it is to axe Beachbody Live, its instructor training and group exercise provider arm.

A study assessing the impact of physical inactivity on national economies has suggested that if all adults aged 18-64 walked just 15 minutes more a day, the world economy would grow by an estimated $100bn a year until 2050.

Swim England has called on the government and healthcare professionals to "maximise the benefits" of swimming, after a report suggests that the activity saves the NHS more than £357m a year.

The number of UK adults classed as physically active has increased by 1 million in the past four years.

The physical activity economy is now a US$828bn (€752bn, £655bn) market – and its value is expected to grow further to US$1.1tn (€1tn, £870bn) by 2023.

The average UK adult spends more than twice as long making tea as they do exercising each week.

Fitness Franchise F45 has signed a partnership deal with Everyone Active, which will see F45- branded studios open at publicly-owned leisure centres.

The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) has said that "even a few minutes of exercise is good for you" – hoping that the simple message will encourage people to get more active. The new CMO guidance states that any amount of physical activity is beneficial, overturning previous recommendations that physical activity needed to last at least 10 minutes to bring benefits. The new guidelines are an update to those released in 2011 and, for the first time, include tailored advice for pregnant women, new mums and disabled adults.

Tennis superstar Serena Williams and Olympic champion Usain Bolt have joined a team of high profile investors backing sports startup Let's Do This.

Fitness wear and apparel supplier Gymshark has opened its first Gymshark Lifting Club (GSLC), combining a studio and fitness centre with an innovation hub, focusing on employee wellbeing and brand innovation.

A major new national campaign is aiming to get people living with long-term health conditions more physically active.

Austria-based wellness operator Lanserhof has opened its first UK location at the historic Arts Club in London.

Boom cycle has revealed plans to open its fifth London site this September.

The Global Wellness Institute (GWI), a nonprofit research and educational resource for the wellness industry, has launched a new white paper series with an aim to bring clear, expert insights on how wellness is evolving now and into the future.

The government is to promote physical activity as part of a range of measures to tackle the causes of preventable ill-health.

A team of Loughborough University academics have launched an online resource to help early- year practitioners and parents deliver physical development opportunities to children.

The first stage in the preparation of a planning application for the proposed Eden Project North in the UK has been completed, with the submission of an Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping Report to Lancaster City Council.

A number of sportspeople have been recognised for their work in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours list.

A new lifeguard qualification will "break the industry mould" by offering employers more flexibility in delivering training to its workforce.

Group exercise is being presented as a solution to two of society's growing problems – inactivity and loneliness.

The Moving Medicine initiative and Wattbike were among the winners of this year's Elevate Innovation Awards.

Prime Minister Theresa May has made a surprise visit to Lancashire to open a community leisure facility developed in partnership with a Premier League club.

Adidas reveals world's first fully recyclable running shoe, a virtual reality tour of the universe narrated by Stephen Hawking to launch in 2020, Bodystreet plans to open 200 EMS studios in the UK and the Mental Health Foundation chooses body image as the theme for its Mental Health Awareness Week.

Budget operator Pure Gym achieved double digit growth in revenue and profitability during 2018, cementing its position as the UK's largest gym chain.

An immersive experience for museums which takes people on a 20-minute virtual reality tour of the universe, and is narrated by the late Professor Stephen Hawking, is due to launch next year.

The Mental Health Foundation (MHF) has chosen body image as the theme for this year's Mental Health Awareness Week.

Boutique operator Discobarre will launch its first stand-alone studio in London, plans submitted for MSG Sphere, sport sector told to "step up its game" and coastal visitor attractions set to share £36m government funding.

The Harry Potter studio tour outside London, UK has opened its biggest expansion to date, with the launch of the iconic Gringotts Wizarding Bank.

Milsom Kesgrave Hall Hotel, a luxury hotel in Suffolk, UK, has unveiled plans to build a new spa, with building work expected to begin as soon as next month (April).

The innovative, £1bn Tottenham Hotspur stadium finally throws open its doors, Sport England's Active Lives survey shows enjoyment is the single biggest factor motivating children to be physically active, Anthony Geisler predicts challenges ahead for the traditional big box fitness model and Merlin Entertainments reports positive growth and record visitor numbers.

Xponential Fitness founder Anthony Geisler sees a dominant future for his boutique fitness business, and one in which the big box operators have been crushed by the rise of boutiques.

The £1bn (US$1.3bn, €1.1bn) Tottenham Hotspur stadium – the largest club ground in London – has finally thrown open its doors to fans.

The Gym Group has tackled investor chatter about stagnation in market penetration by collaborating with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) to release an independent report showing the number of low-cost gyms could double by 2026 to between 1200 and 1400 locations.

European attractions operator Merlin Entertainments has reported growth in a number of areas of its business in 2018, including record visitor numbers.

HIIT more effective way to lose weight than moderate exercise, HITIO Gym enters UK fitness market, Lanserhof medical gym set to open in London, dementia-friendly sport guide is published and a two-storey spa gets planning approval at the Grotto Estate.

A new clinic offering whole-body cryostimulation – a treatment using cold air to increase wellbeing – is coming to London’s Notting Hill neighbourhood in late March.

London's National Gallery is attempting to crack the US market, appointing a licensing agency to develop a multi-tiered retail strategy for the institution.

UK Sport reveals plans to relax 'no compromise' approach, Sensory Alliance launches to help get people with impairments more active, professor Sally Davies to give keynote at Elevate event and the National Museum of Scotland completes 15-year redevelopment.

Fitness operator HITIO Gym has signed its first franchise agreement in the UK.

Sport England has partnered with the Alzheimer’s Society to produce a dementia-friendly sport and physical activity guide.

The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh has completed the final phase of an £80m (US$103.5m, €91.3m) transformation, leading to what it says is the “creation of a world-class museum”.

British Blind Sport, UK Deaf Sport and national disability charity Sense have launched a joint venture called Sensory Alliance, designed to break down barriers to sport and physical activity for people living with sensory impairments or complex disabilities.

The Aqua Sana Spa at Center Parcs Longleat Forest in Wiltshire is set to undergo a significant refurbishment that will see its World of Spa replaced with a new forest spa concept.

Major new changes to the way that Lottery money is distributed to UK heritage causes have been announced as part of a rebrand of the Heritage Lottery Fund and the unveiling of a new five-year plan.

Regular exercise has been linked to better eating habits among young people.

Sweatcoin, an app which incentivises users to exercise by offering cash rewards, can result in users increasing physical activity by up to 20 per cent.

David Beckham has become the final member of the famed "Class of ’92" to take a stake in National League football club Salford City.

Franchise operator Anytime Fitness has begun the roll-out of a new interior look for its clubs, aimed at adjusting its offer to cater for the increasing popularity of functional fitness training.

The Mondrian London Hotel has been rebranded as Sea Containers London, following its acquisition by international hospitality firm Lore Group.

Luxury Spanish skincare brand Natura Bissé has opened its first ever standalone spa at the Westfield London shopping centre.

Saracens acquires 50 per cent stake in Netball Superleague team Hertfordshire Mavericks, Manchester United plans series of experience centres in China and planetarium approved for Kielder Observatory.

Work has begun on a £22m (US$28.1m, €24.4m) revamp of Edinburgh’s National Galleries of Scotland, which will include a new access path, landscaping and wider steps in East Princes Street Gardens.

A number of leisure industry people have been recognised in this year's New Year Honours list.

American broadcaster HBO plans Game of Thrones attraction in Northern Ireland, Leisure Media becomes the first global media partner of FIBO, plans approved for floating spa near Doncaster and Sport England invests £3m in Parkrun.

The oldest surviving open-air swimming baths in the UK are set to be fully restored and reopened to the public for the first time in more than 30 years.

Victus Soul makes entrance onto thriving boutique fitness market, London to become first capital city with inland surfing, visitor attraction based on The War of the Worlds set to open and Sir Roy Strong calls on galleries and museums to lower entrance fees for younger visitors.

Sir Roy Strong, the former director of London's V&A Museum, has said that national galleries and museums across Britain should introduce lower entrance fees across the board and with greater concessions for younger visitors.

Lee Valley Regional Park Authority (LVRPA) and inland surfing company The Wave have unveiled plans to create an inland surfing venue in London.

Having a 'head of wellness' at schools would get students and staff more active, health insurer Vitality suggest a guaranteed way to increase people's physical activity levels, The RFU reveals losses of £31m and Joanna Lumley says new Peter Pan attraction will provide a lift to a "forgotten corner of Scotland".

With work well underway to develop a Peter Pan-themed literary visitor attraction in Scotland, its patron, Joanna Lumley, has spoken to Attractions Management about the scheme and what it will mean for a 'forgotten corner of Scotland'.

Detailed plans have been revealed for a "cutting-edge" leisure centre at the heart of the proposed £200m Wellness and Life Science Village at Delta Lakes in Llanelli.

Xponential Fitness has acquired Pure Barre, one of the largest barre franchises in the US – making it the seventh business in Xponential's rapidly growing portfolio of fitness brands.

The government has pledged extra support and improved guidance for primary schools in England as part of a drive to make sure all children are able to swim confidently.

Everyone Active has signed a deal with London-based MoreYoga which will see the boutique yoga brand operating out of a number of Everyone Active-operated leisure centres.

Group fitness classes and adrenaline sports are among those benefiting from increases in attendance as people are seeking out physical activities that fit their lifestyles and busy schedules.

Cardiff Council’s consultation on proposals to ban dogs from marked sports pitches has drawn concern from the RSPCA and from local dog-walking residents.

Sands of Speed – a new museum set to open in Pendine, Wales – has received planning approval from Carmarthenshire County Council.

Merlin opens first ever Bear Grylls Adventure attraction, celebrity fitness trainer Mark Anthony launches the first of his new FirstLight Cycle studios, Everton stadium moves toward the planning phase and St Michaels Hotel re-invents itself as a spa resort.

UK funding body the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has given close to £1m ($1.3m, €1.1m) to a new project that will let young people aged 16-25 curate their own museum exhibitions.

Mark Verstegen, founder and CEO of human performance specialist EXOS, has said that health clubs and gyms need to become better at delivering results, if they are to attract modern consumers.

Global fitness company Les Mills has launched a search for an experienced manager to lead its flagship club in Auckland City, New Zealand.

St Michaels Falmouth Hotel in Cornwall, UK, has been transformed into a luxury destination resort and spa following a multi-million pound investment.

Colin Chong, Everton Football Club's recently appointed stadium development director, has claimed that the club's new home will have a transformative effect on the entire city of Liverpool.

Jetts Fitness has opened a club in Skipton, Yorkshire, making it the fifth location the Australian gym chain has launched in the 12 months since entering the UK market in September 2017.

Carden Park Hotel, in Cheshire, UK, has released the first images of its new £10m spa.

Gym Group reports increase in revenues following easyGym deal, Tom Marien plans expansion of One Element brand, European Championships model a 'disruptor' for the major sports events market and shift in parental attitudes sees more girls take up football.

Paul Bush, VisitScotland's director of events, says the successful delivery of the recent Glasgow 2018 European Championships shows how the country's adopted delivery model is "causing disruption" in the major sports event market.

Fitness entrepreneur Tom Marien is looking to take his fitness and social brand One Element outside London for the first time.

The Gym Group saw revenues jump by 36 per cent to £58.3m during the first half of 2018, as it increased the number of clubs in its portfolio to 147.

British Paralympic Association (BPA) chief executive Tim Hollingsworth has been named as the new CEO of Sport England.

The British Motor Museum is inviting people to learn new skills with its series of motoring related workshops this autumn.

The Kengo Kuma-designed V&A Museum of Design Dundee, Scotland’s first dedicated design museum, is set to open its doors in less than a month.

Strong growth from a mix of overseas visitor markets made 2017 a "record year" for inbound tourism in the UK.

Debenhams reveals plans for in-store gym concept, Sheffield to host the UK’s first dedicated women’s football stadium, Merlin creates ocean sanctuary for beluga whales and sauna bathing deemed beneficial to health.

Spending on leisure activities on the up, Gold's Gym has been put up for sale, the British Museum plans to but Trump on show and Noella Gabriel is named new president of Elemis.

People who exercise above current recommended levels of physical activity are twice as lively to avoid chronic disease.

TRT Holdings, the majority shareholder of Gold's Gym since 2004, has put the fitness brand up for sale in order to "focus on its core businesses".

GPs and health professionals are being urged to refer older and inactive patients for golf lessons, after a new report showed that golf builds muscle strength and "improves life satisfaction".

Fitness market deemed the "fastest growing business sector" in the UK, 1 Rebel opens the world’s first cycling amphitheatre, the FA plans World Cup bid and English Heritage launches #LoveCastles campaign for families.

Noella Gabriel, co-founder of Elemis, has been named president of the UK-based skincare company.

World Wellness Weekend (W3), a major global wellness event, has reported exponential growth in the past year, with an estimated 70 countries expected to take part in this year's event, compared to only two last year.

As football fever grips England – thanks to the national team's performances at this year's FIFA World Cup – there is growing evidence that The Football Association (FA) is planning to launch a bid to host the tournament in 2030.

Global fitness company Les Mills has teamed up with awards and qualifications body Sports Leaders UK to launch a new partnership, which will support schools, children, parents and carers to be physically active through a “Netflix-style” platform.

A U2 attraction in the heart of Dublin could become one of Ireland's most visited tourist attractions, after plans were unveiled to open an exhibition centre on the capital's waterfront.

The latest chapter of the government’s Childhood Obesity Plan – published this week – has received a mixed reaction from the physical activity sector.

The Gym Group acquires most of easyGym sites, too much HIIT could be dangerous, Olympic hero Roger Black launches coaching platform and Merlin takes action to show solidarity with people affected by rail chaos.

Britain's rail network is currently in such a state, that even its Lego alternative has cancelled its services.

David Lloyd Leisure plans German opening, elite sport faces funding changes, Bamford Haybarn spa launches outdoor spa and whisky producer The Macallan blurs boundaries between distillery and visitor experience.

Architecture firm Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners + Partners have completed a distillery and visitor experience for whisky producer The Macallan, embedded into the landscape of Scotland’s Easter Elchies Estate.

The Bamford Haybarn Spa in the Cotswolds has launched a new outdoor experience.

John Treharne, founder of The Gym Group, will step down from his role as CEO in September.

Susan Dyson, founder of Hiitgirl, has revealed plans to develop the brand and expand its presence beyond the single studio site in London's Highgate.

Double Olympic gold medallist, Max Whitlock, has launched a new gymnastics programme pledging to get one million more young people doing gymnastics by 2020.

Viking Cruises has launched an around-the-world luxury cruise, complete with a LivNordic spa, making it the longest spa break in the world.

Budget chain Xercise4Less has secured growth investment worth £42m from Swedish credit provider Proventus Capital Partners.

Holidaymakers will need to pay "significantly" more for flights in order to offset their carbon footprint, after it was discovered that global tourism's environmental effect is nearly four times bigger than previously thought.

Having GPs based in gyms and health clubs – where they could work together with exercise professionals to get those struggling with obesity more active – is among key recommendations made in a new report by Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH).

Disney's research arm is aiming to take virtual reality to the next level, developing a new haptic technology to simulate impact on the human body.

Construction work will finally begin on The Wave Bristol project, after the team behind the inland surfing attraction secured a partnership deal with surf technology specialist Wavegarden.

• Calls for GPs to be on-site in gyms and leisure centres • DW Fitness First combines retail and fitness businesses • Major League Baseball moves into London Stadium • Construction begins at The Wave, Bristol • Japan House set to open in London • Price of flights may increase to offset carbon footprint

• Maria Sharapova and architect Dan Meis launch new venture • energie Fitness prepare for float or trade-sale • Michael Carrick funds inner-city football project • Swansea Council's new waterfront plans • Natural History Museum in London announces new plastic-free water cans

Gym Group takes its PT training in-House, US fitness franchise Omni Fight Club enters UK market and could golf hold the key to get people active?

UFC Gym enters UK fitness market, Spurs reveal new images of stadium, Disney to invest US$100m in children's hospitals worldwide, Bannatyne Group posts record profits, Eureka! plans second site and Pulse Group has new majority owner.

Brunswick spins off its Life Fitness business, Lanserhof plans UK opening and Brewdog reveals hotel ambitions.

Celebrity survivalist Bear Grylls reveals plans for multi-million pound survival attraction, the UK's franchise fitness market hots up and a survey is launched to study the effects of loneliness.