In a buoyant pre-Covid world, East Ayrshire Leisure had targeted 2.6million 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 leisure and hospitality industries.

The figures for 2020/21 showed that the trust had achieve just over 10 per cent of its target.

A report to East Ayrshire Council last Thursday states: “2020/21 was a difficult year for all sectors in our community. The ongoing closures and restrictions brought about by Covid-19 led to a decrease in performance statistics of 89 percent compared to the targets that were set for the year.

“Before the pandemic hit, we had set ourselves a target of 2,593,087 visits to our venues and our activities.

“The actual figure for 2020/21 was 278,970.”

“Despite this significant reduction, the team have excelled and demonstrated innovation, commitment and diligence to ensure that East Ayrshire Leisure Trust is a resilient organisation at the heart of the community.”

The importance of staff engagement was also highlighted by the pandemic, the report continued: “We have made a commitment to engage and involve staff in every aspect of East Ayrshire Leisure Trust’s development. The Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated just how important this is.”

The trust also said it had managed to minimise the financial impact of Covid: “Despite the ongoing closures and restrictions, which led to a significant loss of income in 2020/21, East Ayrshire Leisure Trust reported a positive variance for of

£510k.

“From the start of 2020/21, the management team introduced an essential spend process in response to Covid 19.

“The management team also maximised all external funding opportunities aimed at organisational resilience.”

The furlough of 77 per cent of employees saw £1.089m in wages paid by the  government.

As has been the case elsewhere, certain services have seen a boost through the pandemic.

The use of the trust’s eBook service saw a 127 per cent increase on the previous year. Their housebound library service saw a more modest increase of 15 per cent.

The one leisure facility that didn’t particularly suffer with Covid was Annanhill Golf Course, which actually posted a huge 59 per cent improvement on the year before.