The Eltham Centre

It is definitely dirty. The toilets are unusable with no toilet paper. No wonder why the children are choosing to wee in the pool then step into them toilets. The changing rooms smell of wee. The swimming lessons are a joke. I have been asking for the to keep reminding my child to turn his head to breath instead of lifting him head. My child has not made any progress in over 6 months. I have been over charged for 4 months. Instructors stand around chatting and do not teach the kids much. Kids are hanging around in the pool at each end doing nothing. It is hard to get your money back as you need to fill in a form online that does not work as you can not put in the amount over charged but it will not let you process and submit without it. Custer service is hard work to get through too and when you do, they say they have fixed the problem and my payments, yet still being over charged. I would give a zero star if I could. Only stuck at it until Orpington Re-opens.

Multiple machines at the gym are out of order, limiting my workouts. This staff memeber, tall man with greyish hair always approaches younger children as if excusing them of not having a booking, this can come across as intimidating. Many people stuff their belongings into lockers without paying for them and just close the door making it hard to find a place to store one’s belongings whilst having a pound to spare. Ladies in the changing rooms are very open with what they share so I have opted out of leaving my belongings there.

Been a member for a few years. Only use the gym and spa. Gym is excellent with lots of new equipment. Spa can be a bit hit and miss but generally good. Overall good value for money.

I’m quite disappointed with the water temperature at the swimming pool at Better Eltham. The water is often very cold, and unfortunately my little one even got sick after one of the sessions. This is not the first time the water has been cold. We were told there is an issue with the boiler, but this problem seems to have been going on for weeks. I don’t understand how such an important issue cannot be fixed straight away, especially when families are paying for monthly memberships. My child was literally shaking in the water during the session. I didn’t sign a contract for my child to be uncomfortable and shivering in the pool — I signed up so we could enjoy our time there. I do want to say that the swimming coach is absolutely amazing — very professional, friendly, and great with the children. This review is not about the coaching at all, which is excellent, but about the facility management and the ongoing issue with the pool temperature.

The Eltham centre is a place that promotes violence towards pregnant women. The below is what happened and the final conclusion was me speaking to the centre manager, who then denied any responsibility for it. They refused to give us CCTV footage and refused to acknowledge they had any involvement in the problem. I can honestly advise, if you are a vulnerable person, do not go to this place, as you may be physically or verbally assaulted by the security here, and the centre will lie about events and say it's not their fault, whilst condoning the behaviour. I think the way this centre is run is criminal. Save yourself some money and the physical and mental endangerment, and go to another place. I've been a member of this gym for a long time, but recently there's been some things that concern me. We recently were the victims of verbal and potential physical abuse, from the car park security people. His name is Jay, and he squared up to a pregnant lady, hurling insults, he was backed up by a member of the centre itself, and this member of staff lied about the events. I argued back and was as rude as the security member, as is my right to stick up for myself, and I was banned from the centre for one day. The staff there seem to think it's ok to verbally and physically abuse pregnant women, and that's perfectly fine. I'm disgusted with the behaviour from the centre, and the security team. I've complained, but I've had one response saying to let them know if I have any other problems. I plan to keep trying to speak to management, and if nothing is done within the month, I'll be going to the police. This place is not a place you should go if you're a pregnant or vulnerable woman, as it's likely the staff may verbally and physically abuse you, then lie about it and ban you from the gym. I'll also note, we told the centre to check the CCTV to prove what actually happened, and they've refused.