My child is enjoying her swimming lessons. The teachers are very accommodating and experienced. Even though it grouped, they can identify when a child needs extra support. The staff at the reception a... See more
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Location
Switch location164 Portland Road, SE25 4PT South Norwood, GB
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This southnorwood branch is brilliant. Not only are the staff welcoming and very friendly and helpful always with a smile, but they also take that extra time to help you if needed and are very patient... See more
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Despite booking a swimming session the pool was incredibly busy, 5/6 people in each single lane. This was due to a swimming lesson over running by 30 minutes. When we escalated the issue with the... See more
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Great introduction back into the gym after a year off. Jean-Luc showed me around the gym, he made me feel very comfortable with the machines and with my workout plan. Both him and Yath were both espec... See more
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Company details
Written by the company
Welcome to Better! We’re a charitable social enterprise, committed to the health and wellbeing of everyone in our community. From gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools to lessons and courses for both adults and juniors - plus libraries and children's centres - we've got it all. So whether you’d like to try something new, keep the kids entertained or have a dip in the pool, discover our inclusive range of activities, suitable for all ages and abilities at your local Better centre today.
Contact info
164 Portland Road, SE25 4PT, South Norwood, United Kingdom
3.9
Great
60 reviews
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The gym and the employees are very nice…
The gym and the employees are very nice and helpful
November 14, 2024
Reply from Better - South Norwood Leisure Centre
Hi Nish,
Thanks for your review.
We are so pleased to hear that you are enjoying the gym at South Norwood and that the staff are nice and helpful!
Warm Regards
Hazal
South Norwood site
South Norwood site: The swimming instructors at this branch are amazing. They have been soooo good & very patience with my daughter is now swimming confidently in the water. Personality helps a lot with my daughter & I never thought it would happen. She would refuse to put her face in the water for weeks but they did an amazing job to get her to where she is now & she continues to progress. Please pass on this review to the staff there! Many thanks! Nina
November 2, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - South Norwood Leisure Centre
Good Afternoon Nina,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us.
We are genuinely thrilled to hear that your daughter is having such a positive experience with her swimming lessons at the Eastern Leisure Centre. Our team strives to create a supportive and engaging environment for all our swimmers, and your daughter's enjoyment is a testament to that effort.
If there are any specific aspects of the lessons that you particularly love or any suggestions you might have for us, please feel free to share. We are continuously looking for ways to enhance our programs and ensure every customer has an exceptional swimming experience.
Thank you once again for your kind words. We look forward to seeing your daughter continue to thrive in hher lessons!
Warm regards,
Charmaine
Reply from Better - South Norwood Leisure Centre
Good Evening Lorraine,
Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback.
We are thrilled to learn that you are enjoying your membership at the Bude Leisure Centre. It’s wonderful to hear that our team is consistently delivering friendly and professional service during your visits. We strive to create a welcoming atmosphere, and it’s rewarding to know that our efforts are appreciated.
Your satisfaction is our top priority, and knowing that you're finding value in the facilities and services we provide reinforces our commitment to delivering an exceptional experience. Thank you once again for your feedback. We look forward to seeing you at the centre soon!
Warm regards,
Charmaine
General experience
My experience so far is with Yoga classes. The Teacher is great!
Good facilities with plenty equipment for all users. Aircon available. Room temperature is controlled by teacher, and is very pleasant.
Other classes:
Trying to get spaces in Zumba classes as is always booked quickly, and we get put on waiting list. We get an email when there's a space available but there is 2 of us and more difficult to arrange. We are trying again this week, see if any luck.
Will review once I've been! 😉
Ok so, my experience so far has not been that good lm afraid.
Ive had 2 classes cancelled this week, one Monday and one Wednesday. Which is very frustrating as it takes effort to book some of this classes. But worse is that yesterday l attended a class at 10.30 my App didn’t work to “clock in” so l asked to be let in by lady in reception, she asked my name and said she would confirm my attendance. Then, once in the class, l was asked to tick my name on a list with all our names on. This is good to double check attendance. 👍
This morning l find that l cannot book any classes until l pay a 3£ penalty for NOT attending. 😳 Not only do they have my name and tick on the list but l also gave to the lady in reception (maybe she was busy).
My worry is how do they have the audacity to try and charge me for a class when they have cancelled 2 of my bookings this week? Its this normal or fair?
I had to go in to clear this issue and they found me on the list.
Still haven’t been able to get into a zumba class! 3 weeks now in the gym.
Maybe they need to put more of this classes on other days/times, so other users get to go?? Just a suggestion… 🤷🏼♀️
So far best classes l have been to are yoga and dance fitness.
I will keep reviewing my experiences.
Thank you.
September 25, 2024
Reply from Better - South Norwood Leisure Centre
Hi Gloria
Thank you for your updated review.
We are pleased to see you are enjoying the classes the Instructor's are providing a great experience.
Penalty fees are applied for late cancellations or non-attendance as a deterrent against making reservations and failing to attend. However, if you are sick or face an emergency, we are happy to look into the removal of this fee from your membership.
We also understand that last-minute cancellations can be frustrating, especially when it's due to unforeseen circumstances like staff illness. Please know that we do our best to avoid these situations, but sometimes it's just unavoidable
Kind Regards
Amir
The building and facilities are really…
The building and facilities are really dated. I’m thinking about cancelling my membership as I can go to a much nicer, cleaner gym with more equipment for half the price. The Pilates class was great though.
September 24, 2024
Reply from Better - South Norwood Leisure Centre
Good afternoon Am,
We acknowledge receipt of your review and regret to learn of your decision to terminate your membership due to the condition of the South Norwood Leisure Centre. It is important to note that while we oversee the operations, the building itself is owned by the Council. We regret any inconvenience caused by the building's infrastructure on your membership experience at this location. However, we are pleased to hear that you found the Pilates Class enjoyable.
Thank you.
Charmaine
Reply from Better - South Norwood Leisure Centre
Dear Kazeem,
I appreciate the time you took to share your feedback with us.
We are pleased to learn that the South Norwood Leisure Centre's personnel and amenities have met your requirements. It is our hope that you will continue to benefit from your membership and the diverse range of activities available at our facility.
Best regards,
Charmaine
Great place to work out, highly recommend
Excellent customer service when I called this service center regarding membership options and discovered I could get a corporate discounted rate. I I love going to all the classes and the fitness instructors are great, much improved than when I was there a few years ago. I like the booking on line option I think the only slight issue is that the classes are usually oversubscribed however you do get a message if you join the waiting list to say there is a space but I have to be very quick. Otherwise really great and would highly recommend South Norwood Leisure Centre.
July 24, 2024
Reply from Better - South Norwood Leisure Centre
Hi Rani,
Thank you for your review.
We are delighted to hear that our customer service team were so helpful and that you are enjoying the facilities at South Norwood.
Warm Regards
Hazal
South Norwood swimming pool
I went swimming at South Norwood Leisure centre recently, after not having been there for a few years.
The swimming pool was fine but I was disappointed with the changing rooms. They were not clean and there was an unpleasant smell. One of the showers was closed off with black and yellow tape and there was only one other private shower which did not have a door.
I used to swim for free when it was run by Croydon Council, as I am over 65, but now it costs over £6. I feel this is too expensive.
July 1, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - South Norwood Leisure Centre
Hi Angel,
Thank you for your review.
We are disappointed to hear you did not enjoy your swim at South Norwood and have passed on your feedback to the centre team.
In reference to the price of the swim, if you are aged over 60 and are a resident of the borough you can take out our Better Adult Senior Resident 60+ pay-as-you-go card - which is free for one year and this will give you a discounted rate when you book.
If you would like to sign up to this membership, please click on the link below.
https://memberships.better.org.uk/centre/south-norwood-leisure-centre
Warm Regards
Hazal
The actual gym is okay and the classes…
The actual gym is okay and the classes on offer are good. The online customer service is rubbish. I’ve had to contact them on a few occasions regarding my membership and each time it becomes a battle. At this point I’m ready to cancel with them. Not worth the stress.
June 1, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - South Norwood Leisure Centre
Hi Chilo,
Thank you for your review.
We are happy to hear that you are enjoying the centre but disappointed to hear you have had issues when contacting our customer service team.
We appreciate your feedback and will pass this to the team.
Warm Regards
Hazal
It was ok but the gym and showers need…
It was ok but the gym and showers need updating staff are all great 👍🏾
May 2, 2024
Reply from Better - South Norwood Leisure Centre
Hi Elle,
Thank you for your review.
We appreciate your feedback in regards to our South Norwood Centre and have passed this on to the centre.
Warm Regards
Hazal
cleaning needs improvement
the training instructors are very great. They make you feel good to always go for a class.
Cleaning the facilities needs to be improved especially the toilets needs clean and studio needs to b e moped as people sweat during training.
May 10, 2024
Reply from Better - South Norwood Leisure Centre
Good Afternoon Maggie
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review.
We are delighted to hear that you are enjoying the fitness classes, and the instructors are having a positive impact on your experience.
Thank you also on your feedback about the cleanliness of our centre, we are sorry to hear this has not been up to standards and have escalated this to the General Manager.
Kind Regards
Amir
My refund request was addressed fairly and…
My request was addressed fairly and justly.
I was directed to the right people at each stage and they acted swiftly.
April 3, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - South Norwood Leisure Centre
Hi,
Thank you for your review.
We are so happy to hear that your refund request was dealt with in the ways you have expressed.
Warm Regards
Hazal
Supreme customer services.
Better/GLL have always been courteous, supportive and knowledgeable when helping out. First class customer services.
January 31, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - South Norwood Leisure Centre
Good Morning
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review,
We are very happy to see you are enjoying your time with Better.
It is great to see the staff at our South Norwood Centre receive some amazing feedback.
Kind Regards
Amir
I'm given 3 starts because the amount…
I'm given 3 starts because the amount monthly compared with other gyms it's a lot
I thought was much better in terms of workout machines
Very limited and the condition of the dumbels all of them very old
Sorry but you really need to upgrade
I might will stay one month and look after another option in the area
January 23, 2024
Reply from Better - South Norwood Leisure Centre
Hi Ric,
Thank you for your review.
We are sorry to hear you feel dissatisfied with the price of your membership however, unlike most other leisure providers we are a Charitable Social Enterprise.
As a Charitable Social Enterprise, any money we make goes back into the business. This can be in the form of training our staff, improving our centres and services and supporting athletes through our GLL Sports Foundation. Most recently we have launched the warm spaces initiative where we provide a warm space for members of the public to have a safe area where they can get out of the cold, grab a cup of coffee and socialise.
We offer discounted memberships for seniors, those on benefits, students, key workers and customers who are registered disabled. As well as GP referral memberships. Moved by the plight of the refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine, we set up a scheme offering all refugees in England and Wales free membership to leisure centres, gyms and pools for a six-month period. To date, we have set-up more than 5,000 memberships. This continues to be available to anyone granted refugee resettlement status in the last twelve months.
We appreciate your custom and hope that you continue with your membership.
Warm Regards
Hazal
Not enough swim time
Not enough swim time. More swimming coach needed in the pool with students. One is not enough.
October 5, 2023
Reply from Better - South Norwood Leisure Centre
Hi Marvin,
Thank you for your review.
We appreciate you taking the time to provide us with this feedback and will pass this onto the centre.
In addition, if you would like to discuss this with the centre directly, their email address is: southnorwood@gll.org
Warm Regards
Hazal
Second class and cancelled
September 27, 2023
Reply from Better - South Norwood Leisure Centre
Hi Carlos,
Thank you for your review.
We are sorry to hear that your class was cancelled for a second time. If you would like to speak with the centre in regards to this, please email them at: southnorwood@gll.org so they can assist you.
Warm Regards
Hazal
Learning pool closed with no notice
I went for a swim with my daughter last Sunday. We have booked online, we came to the centre, we got changed, we had a shower, and then we found out that the children pool was closed. What a waste of time. Why did this system allow me to book and pay for a swimming session in the learning pool, if it was closed? Why wasn’t there at least an information on the door that the pool was closed?
September 24, 2023
Reply from Better - South Norwood Leisure Centre
Good Morning,
Thank you for your review.
I am very sorry to hear that you attended the centre for an activity that you booked online and the pool you wished to use was closed. I have checked your profile and I can see that you have now been refunded for the session so please accept our sincere apologies for the inconvenience caused at that time. Once the pool was closed you should have been contacted or the session cancelled by the centre and your fees refunded back to the card you paid with so once again, I apologise that this was not done.
I have applied a credit of the value of the swim we refunded so you can use this to book a swim in the future at no cost to yourself as a way of an apology for your wasted journey.
Hope this helps.
Kind regards,
Charmaine
Am very happy with the process they…
Am very happy with the process they use. And when it comes to details they touch on everything information you need.
September 27, 2023
Reply from Better - South Norwood Leisure Centre
Good Morning Mr Ken,
Thank you for your review.
We are happy to hear that the staff at the South Norwood leisure centre were able to assist you with your membership queries and provided all the information you required to be able to purchase the correct membership for your needs. We hope you can now enjoy your membership and the great activities they have available at this centre.
Kind regards,
Charmaine
It was great I really enjoyed it
July 19, 2023
Reply from Better - South Norwood Leisure Centre
Good Morning Haris,
Thank you for your review.
We are happy to hear that you are enjoying The South Norwood Leisure Centre. We hope you continue to enjoy this facility and great activities they have on offer. I will pass on you lovely feedback for their attention of the centre.
Kind regards,
Charmaine
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