In a buoyant pre-Covid world, East Ayrshire Leisure had targeted 2.6 million people coming through its doors.By the end of this summer, that 2.6m had turned into just 278,970.
More than three-quarters of staff were placed on furlough.The situation was echoed across the country. On March 19, just four days before the country went into full lockdown, East Ayrshire Leisure closed all of its facilities.None would reopen until July, when those early restrictions were lifted or, at least, eased.However, the situation would be repeated on Christmas Eve, when all facilities bar Dean Castle Country Park and Annanhill Golf Course were again closed – this time for four months.Outwith the health services, the impact of Covid was felt most keenly in