More Vision facilities re-open just in time for the final week of the Easter holidays • Vision RCL

More Vision facilities re-open just in time for the final week of the Easter holidays


Vision Redbridge Culture & Leisure were delighted to be able to re-open some of their leisure and cultural facilities on Monday 12 April, one step closer to bringing the Redbridge community back together.

Following the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown families can once again enjoy swimming sessions at their local leisure centre. Parents are keen to re-book swimming lessons to ensure their child does not miss development of this life skill and have already been re-booking their child’s places.

Young people are enjoying activities across our venues, including Redbridge Drama Centre, with various themes including Disney, superheroes plus our regular Film Club looking at the classic ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’. Preparations are also underway for the re-opening of Kenneth More Theatre where staff, performers and patrons are ready and waiting for the green light on live performances from Monday 17 May.

Redbridge Central and South Woodford Libraries have reopened and been buzzing with families enjoying the opportunity to select their books, and dedicated study space and PC use restarting.

It has been a pleasure to see so many users returning to our athletic tracks and re-uniting with their clubs after such a lengthy period without any training or attendance to sporting events. The Cycling Centre was one of the first facilities to open in Redbridge and also offers a bike check and repair service to all.

In our parks and open spaces, our tennis courts and multi-use sport courts are available to use for groups of up to 6 people or two households. Football clubs have been able to schedule in the remaining football fixtures at Ashton Playing Fields and the cricket season will commence from Saturday 17 April.

Friends and family can use of parks and open spaces safely to meet up with family and friends. All of our play areas are open. While Foxburrow’s Farm is currently closed due to the re-development of the site included in the Hainault Forest Restoration Plan, Vision are excited for the future plans of the much-loved forest and farm.

Martin Solder – Chair of Trustees, Vision Redbridge Culture Leisure said:

“I am delighted that we are able to open some of our facilities and welcome customers back again. I fully appreciate just how important our services are to the physical and mental well-being of people in the borough. More than ever, it is important that we have excellent leisure and cultural facilities for people to enjoy and to lead healthier, happy lives.”

Cllr Kam Rai, Deputy Leader of Redbridge Council said:

“After months of lockdown rates of COVID-19 have fallen across the borough and restrictions are beginning to lift as we move into the next stage of the Government roadmap.

In Redbridge we benefit from so many wonderful leisure and culture facilities including gyms, libraries, sports grounds and our fantastic Kenneth More Theatre and I’m so pleased to see these reopening as the weather warms up. 

Local people have been patiently following the COVID-19 guidelines and keeping their friends, family members and neighbours safe. Thanks to their valiant efforts we can now begin to enjoy a return of the activities and events that make Redbridge such a great place to live and work.

I’m looking forward to a safe summer going to the outdoor cinema in Valentines Park and watching some great sport at Ashton Playing Fields. It’s been a difficult year but we are slowly coming out the other side and Redbridge Council will work closely with Vision to make sure there’s plenty to look forward to in Redbridge this summer.”

For further information on the services now available and further re-opening dates please see the latest update on phased re-opening of leisure facilities.