LEISURE centres in Oxford may not reopen any time soon, the city council has warned residents.

Following a meeting with leisure centre managers at Fusion Lifestyle, the council said it was 'looking at options for a phased return' of leisure centres, and that all activities would not resume at the same time.

Leisure centres currently remain closed on Government guidance, but the meeting was a chance to plan the eventual reopening.

Read also: Pub workers furious to find out that their pub isn't reopening on FACEBOOK

The council said that it needed to balance the fact that many people were keen to get back to the leisure centre with the fact that the industry projects the majority will still stay away, meaning incomes will be up to 80 per cent down on what they normally are.

Councillor Linda Smith, cabinet member for leisure and parks, said: "This crisis has had a huge financial impact on the sector, and industry projections are that footfall, and therefore income, will be down 40-80% for leisure centres in the first year.

Read also: What will gyms look like after lockdown?

"This is due to social distancing, customer confidence levels and new exercise habits from lockdown.

"We are working with Fusion to look at the specific situation across the council’s leisure centres, and how we can support Fusion in their re-opening plans.

"We know our leisure facilities are really important for the health and wellbeing of our residents, we want them open again as soon as safe and viable. In the meantime our outdoor gyms, which will be opening from July 4, and our green spaces, exercise trails and tennis courts provide excellent spaces for fitness and wellbeing."