Membership terms and conditions

MEMBERSHIP TERMS AND CONDITIONS  

We get it. Rules can be a bit boring. However, we just need to run a few things by you before we can send you out on your fitness journey.

The first thing to say is welcome to Southwark Leisure. We are glad to have you with us.

For Southwark Leisure Facilities to function as one, we all need to buy in to a few basic principles. We therefore ask you to carefully read and comply with these Membership Terms and Conditions.

Southwark Leisure is the name of the leisure service division of London Borough of Southwark. When we refer to “we” or “us” or “Southwark Leisure” in these terms and conditions we are referring to the London Borough of Southwark.

For all memberships, your contract is with London Borough of Southwark.

For our Direct Debit members, we collect on 1^st of each calendar month or the nearest working day after this. If a direct debit is returned by your bank unpaid, we have the right under BACS regulations to re-present a request for this payment at any point without notice but within one month of the original charge.

As we offer a heavily discounted Annual Memberships for customers wanting to commit for 12 months, this membership cannot be cancelled once purchased unless for compassionate or medical reasons where this can be considered with appropriate and relevant medical / relevant evidence.

The named person who holds the membership record may only use the membership. Should any other person be found to be using a membership held by another, the membership would be at risk of being cancelled or further access to facilities denied. Usage will be monitored and if abused, the membership may be cancelled with no refund provided for any unused part of the membership.

We reserve the right to terminate a membership at any time without notice.

Some categories of membership may not be available at all facilities, please contact your facility directly for more details.

Discounted, promotional or concession rates on membership are excluded from any further discount.

CARD PAYMENTS

Across all our facilities, we only accept card payments, apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.

FITNESS MEMBERSHIPS 

You can pay for your membership one of two ways –

1. A monthly direct debit can be set up with your bank. The payment will come out of your bank on the 1st working day of each month.

2. You can pay for 12 months in advance.

All members paying by monthly direct debit, will pay an admin fee that will cover the administration of your membership and your introduction to your activity.

Members choosing to pay by monthly direct debit will also pay a pro rata payment. The pro rata payment will be taken at point of joining either at facility or online. This pro rata payment covers the cost of your membership until your direct debit has been set up with your bank. This cost will be clearly detailed at facility or online.

SWIMMING LESSON MEMBERSHIPS 

A monthly direct debit will be set up with your bank. The payment will come out of your bank on the 1st working day of each month.

Members paying by monthly direct debit pay a pro rata payment. The collection from your bank will always be for the lessons to be taken in the next calendar month. This protects your place on your chosen lessons. All members who have swimming lessons with us can enjoy free public swimming sessions at all facilities with pools, whilst on the Swim Lesson Scheme. (Note: a paying adult must accompany those under 8 years old.)

Click here for Swimming Lesson Terms & Conditions.

TERMS– MEMBERSHIP OFFERINGS

•  Lifestyle Membership

Members will have access to the Gym, Group Exercise Classes and Public and Lane Swimming at the facility where purchased plus our facilities with the same price point or below (Camberwell, Peckham, Seven Islands, Surrey Docks and Southwark Park Sports And Athletics Facility). A 7-day advance booking for Gym, Classes and Swimming is standard. Steam rooms and Saunas are included where this is available. Standard fitness membership is for age 16+. Additional facility usage upgrade available on this membership option only.

• Lifestyle Plus Membership

Members will have access to the Gym, Group Exercise Classes and Public and Lane Swimming at the facility where purchased plus our facilities with the same price point or below (Camberwell, Peckham, Seven Islands, Surrey Docks and Southwark Park Sports And Athletics Facility). A 14-day advance booking for Gym, Classes and Swimming is standard. Steam rooms and Saunas are included where this is available. Standard fitness membership is for age 16+. Additional facility usage upgrade available on this membership option only.

• All Access Plus Membership

Members will have access to the Gym, Group Exercise Classes and Public and Lane Swimming at the facility where purchased plus all our facilities. A 14-day advance booking for Gym, Classes and Swimming is standard. Steam rooms and Saunas are included where this is available. Standard fitness membership is for age 16+.

• All Access Membership

Members will have access to the Gym, Group Exercise Classes and Public and Lane Swimming at the facility where purchased plus all our facilities. A 7-day advance booking for Gym, Classes and Swimming is standard. Steam rooms and Saunas are included where this is available. Standard fitness membership is for age 16+.

• Concession Adult Gym Memberships (14 day or 7 day Advance Booking)

Members will have access as per our full rate fitness adult memberships, listed above, at a reduced rate. Age 16+. Evidence of concession entitlement is required with purchase.

• • • Concessions are available for:

• • • • Seniors aged 60+
      • Students aged 16-18 inclusive
      • Those aged 19 and over where in full time education
      • Members in receipt of Universal Benefits (excluding Child and Working Tax Credit), or Full Time Carers Allowance
      • Emergency Services personnel including NHS and Armed Forces
      • Southwark Council Employees

• Junior Memberships

Members aged 11 to 15 will have access to the Gym and Public and Lane Swimming for use only at the facility where purchased plus or facilities with the same price point (if purchased at Dulwich or The Castle all Southwark Facilities can be used). A 7-day advance booking for Gym and Swimming is standard and only one gym session can be booked per day. Some facilities may also have supervised gym sessions where Juniors can attend with a parent or guardian aged 18 or over (Note: the parent or guardian must be a current gym member). Includes group exercise classes suitable for ages 14+ (where available). Additional facility usage and 14-day advance booking upgrades are not available on this option.

• GP Referrals

Members will have access to the Gym, Group Exercise Classes and Public Swimming. For use only at the facility where purchased but must follow the exercise routines as prescribed by their GP referral instructor. A 7-day advance booking for Gym, Classes and Swimming is standard. Evidence of referral from a medical professional is required with purchase and this product is only available in facility and not online. Additional facility usage upgrade is not available on this option. After a period of 12 direct debit collections you will be required to transfer to a full membership – All Access, Lifestyle or Concession if eligible. Age 16+.

MEMBERSHIP FREEZE – ‘PAUSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP’ 

As a benefit to Direct Debit memberships only, we offer the opportunity to temporarily pause or ‘freeze’ your membership in the event of prolonged absence such as serious illness or injury. This benefit is for full calendar months only and available for a minimum of 1 calendar month up to a maximum of 6 calendar months. It carries a reduced fee of £7.50 per member per month*. This benefit is for monthly direct debit fitness memberships only as we cannot hold lesson or course spaces open or extend annual memberships unless supported with a valid medical exemption from a medical professional.

Freezes can only commence after the first direct debit has been taken (including any pro rata payment). Any promotional offer or discount period attributed to the freeze period will not be extended. To activate this benefit, please request a suspension of your membership from our webfacility, Contact Us – Leisure Facilities in Southwark (southwarkleisure.co.uk) or email SouthwarkLeisureInfo@southwark.gov.uk before 17^th of the month to be effective from the 1^st of the following month, as you will need to agree to the terms of the freeze.

At the end of the ‘frozen period’, your monthly direct debit will revert to the appropriate fee automatically.

MONEY BACK GUARANTEE

 Money Back Guarantee is covered in our Cancellation and Refund Policy.

 CHANGE OF DETAILS

Should your personal details change, please notify us immediately. The details we hold for you will be used to communicate electronically or by letter with you as per BACs regulations. You can make changes in your profile area – GladstoneGo Login or you can notify us in the centre facility or by completing the Contact Us form on our webfacility.

PRICES

Prices may be reviewed at any point during your membership and we undertake to provide at least 10 working days’ notice of any price change either by email where this exists, or by post.

Disruption Events beyond our reasonable control 

Where we have to alter hours of business or change activity programmes, every attempt will be made to provide advance notice and to minimise disruption and inconvenience.

If we cannot provide all the services and facilities at your home facility for 30 consecutive days or more, or services and facilities are significantly reduced for 30 consecutive days or more, for reasons or events beyond our reasonable control, you or we can cancel your agreement immediately by written notice. By law, we do not have to pay you compensation in these circumstances. However, we will try, where reasonably possible, to let you use another of our facilities.

Reasons or events beyond our reasonable control could include, for example, but are not limited to natural disasters, government actions, war, national or regional emergency, acts of terrorism, protests, riot, fire, explosion, flood, an epidemic and strikes or other labour disputes (not relating to our workforce). 

CONDUCT

We expect our members to behave in a considerate manner and will not accept any inappropriate behaviour towards other members or our staff. We reserve the right to refuse admission for members behaving in such a manner. Southwark Leisure may expel members or may terminate the membership of any member without notice and with immediate effect if:

• the member conduct, whether or not such conduct is the subject of complaint by another member or group of members, is such that in the reasonable opinion of Southwark Leisure, it may be injurious to the character, name or interests of the Southwark Leisure and/or all or any of the Leisure Facilities or is such that it renders the member unfit to associate with other members of all or any of the Leisure Facilities;

• If the members have committed any breach of these Terms and Conditions or the rules, bylaws and regulation of all or any of the Leisure Facilities as in force from time to;

A member, whose membership is terminated by Southwark Leisure, shall forfeit all the privileges of membership with immediate effect without an entitlement to any claim for any refund of their annual or direct debit membership fee on termination of their membership card.

• by notice in writing if any part of the annual, or monthly membership charge which is due and payable remain unpaid five(5) days after the due date for payment.

CCTV

• Closed circuit cameras operate throughout our Leisure Facilities (except in the changing areas) and underwater CCTV cameras are used in some of our swimming pools (see our Privacy Notice for more information).

• Any unlawful activity within our Leisure facilities may be reviewed for possible legal action. 

General terms of use 

Use of any of our facilities and activities is subject to:

• Your adherence to the facility Rules and any other rules pertaining to that activity or facility.

• Availability of the activity programme. This will vary from day to day and at various times. Our programmes often include exclusive sessions for beginners only, for experienced users only, for women only, for children only, for people with disabilities only and for older people only as well as closure for special events and activities. You are deemed to understand that this may restrict your use from time to time and that no financial adjustment will be made to your Fees.

• Your Health is your Responsibility. Exercise carries its own risk, and you should therefore never exercise beyond your ability. If you have any doubts as to your fitness, or you have any medical conditions that may affect your safety through exercise, you should seek advice from your doctor before partaking in the activity.

• You are not permitted to enter the facilities or partake in activities when under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.

• You are not permitted to bring any animals into any facility with the exception of assistance dogs. If you know you require the use of a assistance dog when applying for Membership or during Your Membership term, please inform us at that time.

• You are not permitted to smoke, vape or use e-cigarettes anywhere on the premises or in the immediate vicinity.

• All bags must be kept in lockers and should not be taken into the fitness areas.

• No photography, filming or any type of recording of images or sound is permitted within any facility without you first obtaining permission from the General Manager; within Facilities such permission must be evidenced in writing. You must not take any images or recordings of any individuals unless you have their prior express permission, or there is implied permission (for example relating to your own children or family members). The Manager may permit you to take occasional photos or videos if requested at the time, but any formal or more extensive filming or a Manager must approve photography beforehand in writing. Managers of the Facilities have absolute discretion in deciding whether such recording activities are appropriate and/or permitted. You are not permitted to record or capture any images, video or audio recordings at any time in changing areas, health suites, spas or toilets.

• You wearing attire appropriate to the activity.

• In all cases, our interpretation of the Rules and these terms will take precedence and the decision of the Manager or his / her nominee is final and must be respected.

Learning the ropes 

• When you joined, if you did it at a facility the team would have offered a Welcome Session to teach you how to use the gym equipment. Whilst our staff are always on hand to help, we do strongly recommend that you undertake the induction session so that you know how to use the equipment correctly and safely. Please make a booking with the team at your local facility.

• Any members who are under 18 will be required to complete a welcome session before using the gym. It is worth remembering that your account will not be fully activated until you have completed the induction.

What to wear 

• Clothing such as denim, boots, flip-flops/sandals, or work wear are not the right thing in our gyms simply because they are not safe or practical. Comfortable exercise attire of your choice and suitable footwear is what we are after, and it is important to get this right to avoid being asked to leave the facility. Please note that all members are required to wear a top whilst training, again avoiding the potential of being asked to leave the facility.

Our managers have the right to:

• Refuse admission

• Ask you or a member of your party to leave the facilities

• Exclude you or a member of your party in the future from Southwark Leisure facilities at their absolute discretion

Such action may be taken where you or a member of your party fails to observe any of these rules and conditions of use or where appropriate in the reasonable opinion of Our Manager.

If you are excluded from future use of Southwark Leisure facilities, your membership will be terminated. You will not receive a refund of any fees paid for or in connection with your Membership.

We may sometimes need to postpone, alter, cancel or introduce new activities temporarily or permanently at any time for any reason, including in response to customer feedback and/or to withdraw equipment and/or facilities for any reason including but not limited to maintenance, repair and alteration. We will, where reasonably possible, display notices in the facility or contact you by email as far in advance as possible to advise you of such a change.

We will not reduce or refund any fees because of or in response to such unavailability of facilities, whether or not this is due to the programming of activities and classes but if we make a significant change you may cancel your agreement in accordance with the Cancellation and Refund Policy  

Where you have paid in advance and are, due to attend a Lesson or Course, which we cancel, we will adjust your Membership with an equivalent amount of credit and we will reduce your next Monthly Membership Payment by the respective value of the cancelled Lesson or Course. 

LOCKERS

Lockers located at our facilities are for the use of Members using the facility only and can be used under the following conditions:

• You must not take locker keys off of the premises

• We have the right to gain access to any locker at any time if this is deemed necessary; We will empty all lockers each night and store any items found as lost property

• Where lockers have been secured by padlock these will be removed each night if left secured. We accept no liability for damage caused to the padlock as a result of its removal

• You must not place any illegal goods or consumables, toxic, polluted or contaminated goods, flammable or hazardous goods, living plants or animals, food or perishable goods or waste in the lockers

• Lockers are not to be used for valuable items. We accept no responsibility for the criminal activity of others and items left are done so at your own risk 

PHYSICAL HEALTH OF MEMBER 

• The member warrants and represents that they are in good health and are not knowingly incapable of engaging in either active or passive physical exercise. The member further warrants that such exercise would not be detrimental in any way to their mental or physical health, comfort, condition and/or wellbeing

• Members must ensure that they are competent prior to using health and fitness and other equipment at any of the Leisure Facilities including any new health and fitness and other equipment introduced during the membership period. Whilst our staff are always on hand to help, we do strongly recommend that you undertake the induction session so that you know how to use the equipment correctly and safely. If members do not wish to complete the induction, they will be required to complete a waiver document in respect of this requirement. Southwark Leisure staffs are available upon request to familiarise members before use of any new health and fitness or other equipment at all or any of the Leisure Facilities, which may be introduced during the membership period

MEMBERSHIP CARDS, PHOTO IDENTIFICATION And proof 

All customers will be provided with a personal membership number, which they will be required to present via card or barcode on each visit to the facility. The card remains the property of Southwark Leisure. In the event you lose your card, a replacement will be made available at a nominal charge. The card may only be used by the person to who, it has been issued.

On your first visit to the Facility or when you sign up in the facility, you will be required to have your photograph taken so we can identify that only the holder of the membership is accessing the facilities. This is to safeguard all our members in relation to health and safely and ensure only those members paying for a Membership subscription are being allowed access. We will store the photograph in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

You must always register your attendance by scanning Your Membership card at the facility reception or entrance gates. Otherwise, you will be marked as non-attended and charged a Dishonour Charge. *Further detail can be found in the ‘programmed and bookable activities’ section.*

Your photograph will not be used in any other way other than for identification purposes.

PROOF 

We may need you to provide proof, which is satisfactory to us, of:

• Your eligibility for a specific type of membership, either before your membership starts or at any time during your membership; or

• Your entitlement to cancel or freeze your membership; or

• Any email you sent to confirm cancellation or the date you posted your cancellation notice, or both

• We will require a photograph to be taken as proof of identity and to be held against your membership record to validate entry

• We will request photographic evidence at your time of joining, to validate your identity

If you cannot provide satisfactory proof, for example you cannot prove the date of postage of your cancellation notice, we will not be able to cancel your membership and your membership may continue unless and until you do provide us with a proper and effective cancellation notice.

If you cannot provide satisfactory proof of your eligibility for a particular discounted membership, we will automatically upgrade you to the full rate and inform you in writing in line with the direct debit guarantee. 

FREE SWIM AND GYM 

Southwark residents are only eligible for this scheme if they can show proof documents which can be found Free swim & gym eligibility requirements – Leisure Facilities in Southwark (southwarkleisure.co.uk) copies of proof will be taken and securely linked to your account.

PERSONAL PROPERTY, INJURY, ILLNESS AND DEATH 

You should not exercise beyond your own abilities. If you know or are concerned that you have a medical condition which might interfere with you exercising safely, before you use our equipment and facilities you should get advice from a relevant medical professional and follow that advice as detailed in our Health Commitment Statement.

Subject to the final paragraph of this section, we will not be liable to you for any loss or damage you may suffer where the same is attributable:

1. Your own fault

2. A third party unconnected with our provision of services under this agreement;

3. Events which neither we nor our suppliers could have reasonably foreseen or forestalled even if we had taken all reasonable care

CANCELLING | MEMBERSHIP OR CLASSES 

Direct Debit & Annual membership cancellations are covered in our Cancellations and Refunds Policy

PROGRAMMED & BOOKABLE ACTIVITIES 

Your Membership may entitle you to book classes or activities, which are included in your membership.

In order to make booking fair and sustainable for all our members we ask that all members are considerate of others and do not book an unreasonable number of sessions which may have an impact on other members’ ability to use their membership. Should members book multiple daily sessions we reserve the right to cancel any bookings we deem to be excessive including any sessions that are simultaneous where it is clear that the customer could not undertake both at the same time.

If you are unable to attend bookings, you must cancel as soon as possible. If your booking was not included in your membership and paid for, you will be required to contact the facility to cancel and bookings will be non-refundable. Alternative times may be offered at Southwark Leisure’s discretion.

Whilst most of our members, when unable to attend a booked activity cancel in good time to allow others to book, others do not attend preventing other members attending. In order to maximise spaces for our members we will impose a £4 “dishonour” charge for those that either fail to show up or cancel within 4 hours of the start time.

You can pay any “dishonour” online or at reception in your local facility. Please note that until you have paid any outstanding charges, you will be unable to book on to other classes/activities and the turnstiles at the facilities will not let you in.

Waiting Lists will are available on our classes and lane swim sessions so that when people cancel a class or session, those on a waiting list will be communicated with. In order to ensure places are not held for too long, places on waiting lists will only be held until 4 hours before the class or session start time, after which time the waiting list will be cleared and any member can book on if there are spaces available (this will be done on a first come first served basis).

PRIVACY POLICY

For details of how Southwark Leisure uses the personal information you provide, please see our Privacy Policy. on our webpages.

ENQUIRIES AND FEEDBACK 

For all direct debit membership administration enquiries please complete the website contact us form.  

For all other member enquiries and activity bookings please contact us using the appropriate option via our website contact us form.

LAW AND JURISDICTION 

These Terms of Use shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England. Disputes arising shall be exclusively subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of England and your use of the facility confirms your agreement to this jurisdiction. Any cause of action you may have with respect to your use of this facility must be commenced within three (3) year after the claim or cause of action arises.

If any of these Terms of Use is determined to be illegal, invalid or otherwise unenforceable by reason of the law of any state or country in which these Terms of Use are intended to be effective, then to the extent to which that Term or Condition is illegal, invalid or unenforceable, it shall be severed and deleted from that clause and the remaining Terms of Use shall survive and continue to be binding and enforceable.

REGISTERED OFFICE

Southwark Council

160 Tooley St,

London

SE1 2QH