Title

LEISURE

Councils across the UK close parks to limit spread of coronavirus

Councils have been forced to close parks and other public spaces in a bid to protect people from coronavirus.

Councils have been forced to close parks and other public spaces in a bid to protect people from coronavirus.

Following concerns that people are failing to practise social distancing in open spaces, councils across the UK have made the decision to close their parks.

Essex, Carmarthenshire and Leicestershire CCs, and Hammersmith & Fulham LBC are among those that have taken this decision.

Leicestershire leader Nick Rushton said: 'I had wanted to support the health and wellbeing of our residents during these unprecedented times, but people's safety is my priority.

'Put simply, if there are too many people in the parks, it's impossible to keep to the Government's social distancing advice.'

Hammersmith & Fulham leader, Cllr Stephen Cowan, added: 'Our parks have been full of people this weekend with a significant proportion ignoring government guidelines on social distancing.

'This raises the serious likelihood of cross-infection.

'By closing our parks we are putting the safety of all our residents first.'

Other councils across the UK said they were monitoring the situation and would take action if necessary.

LEISURE

Reed vows to stop those trying to pull country apart

By Dan Peters | 25 November 2025

Communities secretary Steve Reed has vowed to stop ‘people at the extremes of politics who are trying to divide our country and pull it apart’.

LEISURE

How councils can increase SME apprenticeship uptake through strategic partnerships

24 November 2025

Local authorities can boost apprenticeship starts within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by forming innovative partnerships, a leading training pro...

LEISURE

Councils are at breaking point and social care should be made a priority

By Cllr Mike Stonard | 24 November 2025

Ahead of the Autumn Budget, Key Cities portfolio holder for health and social care Cllr Mike Stonard says swift action from ministers is essential if the nee...

LEISURE

Building balance: The case for £3-a-week rent convergence

By Dan Hawthorn | 24 November 2025

Decisions around rent convergence in the Government’s upcoming Budget will shape the strength of London’s Housing Revenue Accounts, say Clive Palfreyman and ...

Popular articles by Laura Sharman