AS lockdown measures continue to ease across the country, more outdoor plans are coming to fruition in Shaftesbury.

Heard during the online town council meeting Monday night, it was approved that the open-air pool Shaftesbury Oasis could reopen on Saturday with social distancing measures in place, despite a shorter season.

Business manager Brie Logan said that swimmer numbers would be “drastically reduced” as just one of the measures, in order to create a “safe environment”.

There would also be a revised timetable and booking system.

It was also approved that around £5,700 would be spent on facilities within the pool site. Broken down, £150 would be spent on social distancing signage, around £725 on tow bars, around £500 on reception refurbishment, around £1,980 on urinal replacement and around £2,340 on roof repairs. Some of these works will not be dealt with until later in the year.

At the same meeting it was agreed that the council would forward fund up to £2,250 to start marketing outdoor yoga sessions on Castle Green, with the first event planned for August 1.

A grant from the London Marathon Trust has been approved for the yoga sessions to the value of £4,500, but this is linked in to the Deed of Dedication for Castle Green, which is currently being processed by the Fields in Trust solicitor.

Concerns were raised that to wait for the grant would mean not enough time for advertising and publicity in the lead up to the event, but it was assured that council funds would be later reimbursed.

It is predicted between 30 and 40 people could take part in each session.