Less than five months since the grand opening of Chilterns Lifestyle Centre on December 6, a dissatisfied customer was left appalled by the “dirty, disgusting changing rooms”.
Initially, the much-anticipated opening was delayed from November 15 to December 6 because of issues with the final construction checks.
The now ex- customer of the £36 million Lifestyle Centre wanted to remain anonymous after she visited the changing rooms in March, and found it in less than favourable state.
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The changing rooms are used by customers dropping in to use the 25-metre exercise swimming pool, gym, climbing wall and other exercise facilities of the Centre in Amersham.
Using her phone, the customer captured what looks like a handful of human hair stuck on the floor’s metal drain on March 9.
A week later March 16, she found another clump floating on the tiled floor of the new changing rooms.
On the same day, she found a layer of dust on the floor.
She said: “I complained to environmental health and someone from the Centre emailed me saying the showers are cleaned multiple times a day.
“No apology!"
She no longer wants to visit the Centre.
“I’ve cancelled my membership, it’s appalling.
“They don’t take cash anywhere in there and it’s £1 to park as well as being put up £10 a month.
“This centre is not the community centre they make out they are.”
Following the cleanliness concerns, a strict daily cleaning regime and regular deep cleans were reinforced, and a new hourly checks process was introduced, Steve Salwa, contract manager for Chilterns Lifestyle Centre, said.
He added: “We apologise if expectations have not been met and want to reassure customers that we are addressing the concerns and will continue to work on improvements to the cleanliness of our site.
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“We take the cleanliness and safety of our centres extremely seriously and take pride in providing a welcoming environment for both our customers and colleagues."
The operator Everyone Active said their cashless system meant reduced queuing time and improved customer service, and staff could support customers “who need any support with signing up, online booking or using the app.”
Councillor Clive Harriss, Buckinghamshire Council Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, said: “There are some challenges and teething issues and we always want to hear about feedback so we can keep doing the things we’re doing well, and work on what isn’t quite up to our usual high standards, so we and Everyone Active are always grateful to customers who make us aware of issues while visiting the centre and we thank them for doing so.”
In January, Bucks Council leader Cllr Martin Tett hinted at the possibility for another similar centre somewhere in Bucks.
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