FIFE Sports and Leisure Trust are set to be hit with a £5 million loss for this financial year because of coronavirus.

The organisation, which operates and manages 14 facilities across the Kingdom, including Cowdenbeath Leisure Centre and Bowhill Swimming Pool, on behalf of Fife Council, shut all of its buildings last month following Government guidance.

They say that, in addition to facing a minimum lockdown of 12 weeks that will severely hit its bank balance, more than 500 staff have been furloughed to save in the region of £758,000.

The loss in revenue from lockdown is another blow for the Trust which, last year, outlined plans to slash opening hours at some of its facilities in a bid to save cash.

Chief operating officer, Wendy Watson, said that the support of customers was vital, and said they were working tirelessly to ensure it will be "in a good position to open doors" when restrictions are lifted.

"The Trust took the decision to close its facilities to the public on March 18 in keeping with the Government's announcement regarding protocols to be followed in relation to the spread and containment of corornavirus," she explained.

"The Trust has recently rolled-out a Fife-wide service redesign programme which saw a change to operating hours to a number of our facilities. This was brought about due to the financial pressures of the reduction in management fee the trust receives from Fife Council.

"The trust is facing a minimum 12-week lockdown with a complete loss of generated income, and will see incomes impacted for the full financial year".

Ms Watson added: "Our estimated loss of income for this financial year will be £4.894m. We are working positively in partnership with Fife Council, our sole member, and are actively engaged in constructive dialogue to see what support is available to help the Trust through this difficult period.

"We are pursing the National Job Retention Scheme (furloughing staff) and we believe we can furlough up to 288 contracted staff and 221 casuals, up to the currently defined national furlough period.

"This would give a recovery value of £758,000."

She added: "The impact of closure so soon after this very challenging period for the Trust means we are working hard to get the organisation in a good position to open its doors and begin the very important work of getting people active, and delivering the health and wellbeing benefits of physical activity for local communities.

"Our teams are currently working on ways to minimise costs, maximise customer retention and protect the health of our staff and customers.

"As a charitable trust, the organisation is dependent on the support of its customers in order to continue to deliver facilities and programmes for local communities, and we have been working hard to support those who would normally attend our facilities by uploading weekly fitness sessions on social media.

"We want local communities to know we are still here to help them stay active and enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of physical activity during these difficult times."