Abbey Leisure Centre will once again extend its opening hours during Ramadan, giving local Muslim residents greater flexibility to stay active after breaking their fast.
The Barking-based leisure centre, which is managed by Everyone Active in partnership with the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, will remain open until midnight throughout the holy month. The extended hours will run from 17 February to 18 March, supporting members who wish to exercise later in the evening.
During the late opening hours, members will have access to the main gym, women-only gym and spa facilities, allowing people to fit physical activity around evening prayers and Iftar.
Hasan Romel, Area Contract Manager at Everyone Active, said: "We’re really pleased to be extending our opening hours again during Ramadan, following the fantastic feedback we’ve received in previous years. It’s important to us that all members feel supported and welcome, particularly during such a significant time of the year.
"By staying open later, we’re giving people the flexibility to look after their physical wellbeing in a way that works alongside their spiritual commitments. Creating inclusive, welcoming spaces that reflect the needs of our local communities is central to what we do, and we’re proud to continue offering this support throughout Ramadan."
Abbey Leisure Centre is located in one of London’s most diverse boroughs and has continued to invest in accessibility and inclusion. Since the opening of its women-only gym in 2022, the centre has seen a notable increase in female membership, with the dedicated space offering the same high-quality equipment as the main gym.
A £500,000 refurbishment of the main gym has also been completed in recent years, introducing upgraded cardiovascular and strength equipment, including treadmills, cross-trainers and weight-training machines.
Councillor Saima Ashraf, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Community Leadership and Engagement, added, “Barking and Dagenham is a wonderfully diverse borough, and this is a small but meaningful way we can support the local community, promote inclusion and ensure leisure services are accessible to everyone.”
The extended Ramadan opening hours will apply to the main gym, women-only gym and spa facilities at Abbey Leisure Centre.