Where do I start? Firstly, there are far too many ...

Where do I start? Firstly, there are far too many staff to warrant such disorganisation.

I arrived this afternoon and just wanted a concession PAYG swim. There were signposts for 'free gym/swim' and for 'members' so I obviously wasn't sure where to go. The free gym/swim is great, though despite living only around the corner I am classed as Lambeth so don't qualify, but this is fine.



I was gruffly 'welcomed' at the turn style by a woman who barked at me that I need to queue. I told her I had, and she rudely looked at me as though I was lying. I repeated 'I just paid that lady over there'. She then put a purple wristband on me, and nothing. No directions or anything for a clearly new customer.

After wandering around for a few minutes I finally found the pool. Changing rooms were fine. After changing I went to the pool area where there are no wayfinding signs to be seen. I could see a pool and another staff member barked 'you need a pink wristband to come in here', I looked at her puzzled and she eventually pointed me in the direction of the actually pool that I could eventually use.

Got in the pool and it was very warm, no initial 'ooh' and then in. This meant my swim was very warm and uncomfortable, I don't think I have ever sweated from heat during a swim in my life, but here, wow.

I understand the time of day was a general swim session, but they hadn't even sectioned off a small area for people who, you know, want to actually swim. Kids were messing about (fine) in the area where people were trying to do some lengths (not fine) and the lifeguards were doing nothing to control this or stop kids divebombing in front of adults doing lengths. Every pool I have ever been to has had a section for length swimming no matter what time of day.

After just under 40 mins, I was called along with the other purple wristbanders to get out of the pool. I usually swim 45mins to an hour. No chance here. I spoke to a staff member and mentioned that I had only been in for 40 mins, and he said '40mins, and hour, near enough'... erm not when you're trying to do some exercise.

I told him nobody had mentioned a time limit when I paid, and he said if I had a problem to go to reception. Yes, get out the pool. Get dried, changed and then find someone capable of basic customer service. He also informed me if I'd waited 10 mins I could have got a green wristband, which of course was not explained on paying. I was made to feel the situation was my fault.

The pool is nice and clean, and the changing areas are fine. Bit everything else was actually a joke. I will try again on a quieter time (though really, it wasn't busy, maybe 40 people in the pool) seeing as I have paid an annual fee and it's cheap for concessions, but I really hope they take not of this review!! The place is a mess in the way it's run and some of the staff are extremely rude.