A businessman is helping UK lesiure centres and gyms prepare for reopening after lockdown. 

Paul Romer-Ormiston, director of software firm Tillr, is helping operate a Fit for Business certification scheme.

Fit for Business is the only online Covid-secure certification in the UK that is designed specifically for the sports and leisure sector.

Gyms and lesire centres have been closed since early January but could reopen from April 12. 

Behind the scenes, Tillr has been helping leisure facilities under the control of Westminster City Council and Barking and Dagenham Council to ensure they are certified and ready to welcome people back safely.

Mr Romer-Ormiston, of Weald Road, Brentwood, said: “Tillr developed the Fit for Business self-assessment platform in collaboration with Right Directions, who authored the certification in mid-2020, and partnered with Tillr to turn it into an online self-assessment platform.

“Leisure operators can use this to gauge how effective their Covid-secure measures are against the latest scientific and government advice.

“The platform then provides recommendations on how to improve, and once their score is high enough, they can apply to for a Fit for Business certification.

“London boroughs including City of Westminster and Southwark have already achieved full certification for all of their leisure facilities, with half a dozen other London boroughs underway with the assessment too. “However, this is a nationwide initiative, and local authorities in all parts of the country have now begun the process to get certified.”

The certification was only developed as a response to public confidence levels since the pandemic started.

Mr Romer-Ormiston added: “As it is new, the word is not out there yet. But what companies may be surprised to know is that an operator can be given instant online access to the full accreditation platform, self-assess, and then go about implementing the recommended improvements within a couple of days.

“With a focused approach, an operator could apply for full certification from Right Directions via the platform within a week.”