Great facilities, excellent equipment. Very friendly staff. Only issue I'd say is the cleanliness and maintenance of the rest rooms and showers. For the last couple of years there's been an issue... See more
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Review summary
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What people talk about most
Reviews shaping this summary
I have been using the gym in Woolwich waves and I really enjoy the classes specifically the healthwise sessions ran by Victoria. I also have enjoyed the circuits by Sophia The front of house staff hav... See more
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Much improved since Better took over the facility having redecorated the wet side changing room and fixed some of the long standing maintenance issues. Best of all the water temperature is very comfor... See more
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We used the ski school at Gosling's dry slope for lessons for our children. The staff were excellent. They helped our children get over the initial nerves and tailored the lessons to each of their ind... 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
Middlegate House, The Royal Arsenal, SE18 6SX, London, United Kingdom
- 03301231500
- customerservices@gll.org
- www.better.org.uk
4.1
Great
17k reviews
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Great family swimming session for the…
Great family swimming session for the children. The boys loved the floats and music session. Safe and clean environment for them to have fun in.
30 October 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Better
Hi Katie,
Thank you for your lovely review.
We're happy to hear that your children enjoyed the family swimming session and had so much fun with the floats and music.
It's great to know that you found the environment safe, clean, and welcoming for families to relax and enjoy time together.
We appreciate your feedback and look forward to welcoming you back for another splash-filled session soon.
Warm Regards,
Azaria
Women’s gym turning into mixed gym
Making the women’s gym a mixed gym when the only reason I bought my subscription is to be here as I have had bad experiences with men in gyms. So disappointed as it can be packed sometimes too and now there will be men who will most likely destroy the peace and comfort this gym brought me.
3 November 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Better
Hi Summer,
Thank you for your review!
We're sorry to hear that the recent changes have caused disappointment, particularly as the women's gym environment was an important factor in your decision to join.
We understand that feeling comfortable and safe while exercising is extremely important, and we appreciate you being open about your concerns.
We'll be sure to raise this with our wider team for further review.
Thank you for raising this with us!
Warm Regards,
Kaisha
Crash course in half term
Crash course in half term. We signed up for this as my granddaughter was losing her confidence. In the week course she progressed so much. Would highly recommended as teaching was excellent and value for money.
26 October 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Better
Hi Nina,
Thank you for your great review!
We're thrilled that your granddaughter enjoyed the crash course she recently attended, particularly as she was previously losing her confidence in swimming.
We're overjoyed at how much progress she made in such a short time, as well as instructors being great, and you found the course a value for money.
We'll be sure to pass on your amazing review, and we greatly appreciate your recommendation.
We hope to welcome you both back again soon!
Warm Regards,
Kaisha
Abysmal website
The leisure centre is fine, the staff and facilities are good but booking anything on the website is an utter shambles. I am looking forward to all their web developers being replaced by even the worst AI tools. I'm amazed that anybody could think it was acceptable.
1 November 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Better
Hi Grampian,
Thank you for your review!
We're pleased to hear that you're happy with our centre, team, and the facilities.
However, we're sorry to learn about your frustrations with the website and booking process.
We understand how disappointing it can be when online systems do not provide the smooth and reliable experience you expect.
We'll be sure to share your comments with the team for further review!
Warm Regards,
Kaisha
The venue is great and my son loved his party!
The venue itself is great, trampolining and soft play together is exactly what my son wanted. The party room is also fantastic. The staff were helpful on the day. However, it was quite tricky to speak to someone directly at the venue prior to the party as nobody picked up the phone. I also think it unfair that you don’t get a refund of £21 if one child cancels more than 24hrs prior to the party, that could be changed.
1 November 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Better
Hi Juliette,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.
We're happy to hear that your son enjoyed the combination of trampolining and soft play, and that the party room and support from our team helped make the day a success.
We're sorry to hear that getting in touch before the party proved difficult and appreciate how frustrating that must have been when trying to finalise arrangements.
We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your perspective regarding the cancellation policy
Feedback like yours helps us identify areas where we can improve, and we'll ensure your comments are shared with the relevant team for review.
Warm Regards,
Azaria
After a traumatic hip operation and…
After a traumatic hip operation and much pain for almost 6 years I attempted a return to my much loved exercise, swimming. As apprehensive as I was about possibly hurting myself on this visit, I was warmly supported and helped by the receptionist at Boucher Road (Cathy?). She signed me up and made me more aware of the newest facilities and prices. A few more details were to be added online which were a bit of a stumbling block for a non techno person like myself. This was resolved in good time with online staff whose approach was also helpful and encouraging for my continued intention to return and keep fit. Thank you to all involved.
19 October 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Better
Hi Vivian,
Thank you for your review!
We're happy that your return to swimming after such a challenging recovery has been such a positive one.
It's great to know that Cathy and the team provided you with a warm welcome, support, and reassurance during your first visit back.
We're re also pleased that our online team was able to help you navigate the registration process and make things a little easier.
Your determination to return to the activity you love is truly inspiring, and we can't wait to continue to support you on your journey.
We'll be sure to pass on your kind words to everyone highlighted, and we can't wait to welcome you back!
Warm Regards,
Kaisha
Over-priced and badly maintained
Over-priced and badly maintained. Showers and changing rooms are dirty. Often no hot water in the showers. Urinals leak. Sinks out of order. Potential to be great but is poor. Management don't care.
2 November 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Better
Good Afternoon,
We're deeply saddened to hear that you find our centre overpriced and badly maintained.
We understand that you've raised issues with the cleanliness of our shower and changing room facilities, issues with the hot water and the maintenance of sinks and urinals.
We're also sorry that you feel our management team doesn't care, and we can assure you that they greatly appreciate our customers' feedback.
We'll be sharing this with our wider team for further review.
Thank you for raising this with us!
Warm Regards,
Kaisha
Excellent!
I'd like to say the customer services team have been brilliant for helping with 2 issues. Namely the parking fines I received that were cleared as I inadvertently entered my details on the wrong system. And recently when changing over membership to senior status. What was excellent was the speed and response my issue was dealt with by your team. Equally important is the great service I get from the team at Southgate Leisure centre - top people in every sense of the word for customer service and support. They should be congratulated. It's not very often you get such service, so when surveys pop up I tend to think its more for show than actual substance. This does not apply to you hence my feedback today. Thank You!
28 October 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Better
Hi Andy,
Thank you for your review!
We're thrilled that our customer service team helped you with both your parking charge issue and your membership transfer to our senior rate.
It's especially rewarding to know that the speed of response and support provided positively impacted your experience.
We also greatly appreciate your kind words about our team, and we're so happy to hear that we've always provided amazing service.
We will be sure to pass your comments on to the team, and we can't wait to see you again soon!
Warm Regards,
Kaisha
Miss
Very good service, so helpful and advice where possible and quick to respond to any requests and advice and any questions is always answered or solved.
31 October 2026
Reply from Better
Hi Jennifer,
Thank you for your wonderful review.
We're happy to hear that you've found the team helpful and supportive whenever you've needed assistance.
It's fantastic to know the centre staff has made a positive difference to your experience.
We truly appreciate your feedback and look forward to continuing to support yoU.
Warm Regards,
Azaria
Reply from Better
Hi Vincius
Thank you for your review.
We are very happy to hear that you are receiving great service and enjoying your experience with us!
We hope this continues!
Kind Regards
Amir
Halloween Party
I attended the Halloween party at Western Leisure Centre with my 6 year old son. We had a great time. Very well organised and loads of activities to do. Will definitely be attending next year
28 October 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Better
Hi Elisabeth,
Thank you for your wonderful review.
We're glad to hear that you and your son had such a great time at our Halloween party.
It's fantastic to know that the event was well organised and that there was plenty to keep everyone entertained throughout the session.
We're especially pleased to hear that you're already planning to join us again next year.
Our team will be thrilled to know their hard work helped create such an enjoyable experience for your family.
Warm Regards,
Azaria
They are so helpful.
They are so helpful.
Sorted my challenge in minutes.
31 October 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Better
Hi Mrs Angela
Thank you for your review.
We are delighted to hear that our team were able to assist you and resolve your challenge so quickly!
Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any further questions.
Kind Regards
Amir
Concrete brick cage of football nightmare
I am just sat here wondering in amazement how they can charge £100 an hour for people to play football on that death cage of a brick concrege perimemter? Has nobody thought that is a critical accident waiting to happen. Forget about the rubbish qaulity of the surace which has as much grip as an ice rink. What about the 4 metre brick concrete barrier just waiting for people to collide with. Im bemused, ashamed and bewildered to be honest. Why was this never considered,mentioned or looked at during the major renovations?
P.SFrom a personal level I collided with full force on Thursday evening. I hit my lower back on the right side and was lucky enough to avoid my head. Spent the whole night into morning at A+E and am not sure when I will be able to return to work.
29 October 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Better
Good Afternoon,
Thank you for your review!
We've shared this with our wider team for further review and will update our response shortly.
[Update]
Good Morning,
Thank you for your patience!
We're deeply sorry to hear about the injury you sustained during a recent session on our pitch, and we hope you are making a safe recovery.
We understand your concerns regarding the pitch layout and playing surface.
As the pitch is built below ground level, its surrounding structure differs from some newer or ground-level facilities, which may use alternative wall and netting systems.
We appreciate that your experience has led to concerns about player safety, and we take all feedback of this nature seriously.
The safety of our customers remains a priority, and all comments relating to our facilities are carefully considered and reviewed.
Regarding the playing surface, we maintain the pitch to the required standards, and our pricing is in line with comparable facilities.
Thank you for raising this with us!
Warm Regards,
Kaisha
**Lack of swimming assessments, progress feedback and poor customer service**
Both my daughters have been attending swimming lessons at Southgate Leisure Centre for well over a year\. Prior to joining, they had been taking swimming lessons elsewhere since they were three years old, so both have several years of swimming experience\.
Despite this, I have received very little meaningful feedback about their swimming development, progress or what they need to achieve to move to the next level\. One of my daughters has remained at the same level for two terms, and I have been given no clear explanation as to why\.
Two and a half weeks ago, I submitted a straightforward request for a formal swimming assessment for both children\. I was not making a complaint\. I simply wanted their abilities to be properly assessed and to understand whether they were being placed at the appropriate levels\.
Despite waiting over two weeks, I have received no substantive response, no assessment arrangements and no feedback whatsoever\.
What makes this even more frustrating is that Better has now closed the ticket, stating that my request is being dealt with, despite nobody having contacted me with an outcome or any meaningful update\. How can a request be considered closed when nothing has actually been done to address it?
As a parent who has invested considerable time and money in swimming lessons over several years, I would expect regular assessments, constructive feedback and clear communication about my children’s progression\. Surely these are basic expectations of any structured swimming programme?
I am extremely disappointed with the lack of communication and the way such a simple request has been handled\. Parents should not have to chase repeatedly just to find out how their children are progressing or whether they are ready to move up\.
Unfortunately, this experience has seriously undermined my confidence in the swimming programme at Southgate Leisure Centre\.
31 October 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Better
Hi Faye,
Thanks for your review!
I have sent you a find reviewer request so I can look into your complaint.
Please ensure you fill this in within the next 3 days so I can assist you.
[Update]
Hi Faye,
Hope you're well.
We can confirm that we've received the requested information. Thank you for providing this.
We've reached out to our Assistant Manager regarding this, so they can follow up with you.
We've also reopened your previous ticket and will provide you with an update once we receive their response.
Thank you for your continued patience!
Warm Regards
Kaisha
Disappointing customer service and…
Disappointing customer service and complete lack of flexibility for a four-year-old
We booked ice skating online as a family, but when we arrived, our four-year-old decided they didn’t want to skate.
Despite our child never setting foot on the ice, staff refused our request for a refund.
I appreciate that businesses have cancellation policies, but I would expect a family-friendly leisure centre to exercise some reasonable discretion when dealing with a very young child.
We weren’t asking for anything unreasonable, simply a refund for an activity our child hadn’t used.
A disappointing experience, particularly for a venue that promotes itself as welcoming to families.
It’s doesn’t deserve a 1 star review just because a couple of things didn’t go my way. The rest of the family were fine, the hired boots seemed good so overall it wasn’t a disaster, but just don’t bring your kid to ‘try’ ice skating for their first time here.
31 October 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Better
Hi Ben,
Thank you for your review!
We understand how disappointing it can be when a young child decides they no longer wish to take part in an activity, particularly when it is their first experience.
Due to our Terms and Conditions, we generally do not offer a refund if you're trying to make changes to the booking with under 4 hours' notice, and you agreed to this policy before confirming your booking with us.
We're pleased that the rest of your family enjoyed their skating session and that the equipment provided met your expectations.
We apologise for any frustration this has caused, and we appreciate you sharing your experience with us.
Thank you for your review!
Warm Regards,
Kaisha
Swimming and gym
From reception to life guards they are all lovely. Sheila, mags, Jenny. So friendly and helpful. I look forward to going fulwood leisure centre. It's not a chore it's a fantastic hobby.
30 October 2026
Reply from Better
Hi Catherine,
Thank you for your wonderful feedback.
We're happy to hear that the team has made such a positive impact on your visits.
Sheila, Mags and Jenny will be thrilled to know their friendliness and helpfulness are so appreciated.
It's especially lovely to hear that coming to Fulwood Leisure Centre has become something you genuinely look forward to.
We hope to welcome you back again for more visits.
Warm Regards,
Azaria
No working gym showers
This venue has brilliant potential but is poorly managed and has been going downhill since it was rebuilt in 2015. Of biggest frustration to me is that the men's showers in the gym have been out of order for the best part of a year now, with zero communications updates to members. There are alternate showers on other floors but they are not private / don't have secure lockers / inconvenient / don't have soap dispensers. Who ever heard of a gym with no shower facilities???
I wrote to management to complain and ask for an update, and received an unhelpful response from the GM with no information about what effort is underway to resolve the issue.
The staff are generally nice but are also kept in the dark by management and unable to help. I hope the group management will at some point realise the failure of management and bring in some good leadership so that the staff and members can enjoy the full potential of this brilliant facility.
30 October 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Better
Hi Brett,
Thank you for your review!
We're sorry to hear about your frustration regarding the men's shower facilities and the impact this has had on your experience with us.
We appreciate how important accessible shower facilities are to our members, and we understand that the prolonged closure, along with the lack of updates, has been disappointing.
We also recognise the inconvenience caused by having to use alternative facilities that may not offer the same level of privacy or convenience.
We're sorry that you felt the response to your previous enquiry didn't provide the information you were looking for.
We appreciate your comments about our staff and the potential of the facility, and we'll be sure to share your feedback with the team, including our General Manager, for further review.
Thank you for raising this with us!
Warm Regards,
Kaisha
Great staff and a wonderful experiance
30 October 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Better
Hi Salim,
Thank you for your lovely review!
We're overjoyed to hear that you had a wonderful experience with us and that you found our team great.
We can't wait to welcome you back again!
Warm Regards,
Kaisha
I’ve been coming to this gym…
I’ve been coming to this gym (Hammersmith branch) for a while and this week have tried a couple of day time classes I don't normally have access too. Bella’s pilates classes was amazing she was so clear with instruction and i liked the type of pilates, and also Chris’ yoga class was brilliant too, the type of yoga and the adjustments made where great and the environment created was very relaxing. It’s shame these teachers only teach in the mornings, is there any scope for there to be evening classes with either of them?
27 October 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Better
Good afternoon Suzanne,
Thank you for taking the time to share such lovely feedback, we're delighted to hear that you enjoyed Bella's Pilates class and Chris' yoga session, and that their instruction and welcoming approach made such a positive impression!
It's great to know you've been making the most of the wider class timetable, although we appreciate it can be disappointing when classes you'd particularly like to attend are only available during the day.
Your suggestion for evening sessions with Bella or Chris is certainly appreciated, thank you again for your continued support. We hope to see you at Hammersmith again soon!
Kind regards,
Ellis
Markos had instruction with a gentleman…
Markos had instruction with a gentleman who had lots of patience and encouragement. Thank you.
26 October 2026
Reply from Better
Hi,
Thank you for taking the time to share your review.
We're happy to hear that Markos had such a positive experience and felt supported throughout his lessons.
It's wonderful to know our instructor's patience and encouragement helped make the learning journey an enjoyable one.
We hope to welcome you back again soon,
Warm Regards
Azaria
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