Northcroft Leisure Centre — Attraction in Newbury

I’m leaving this review for the Northcroft Leisure Centre in Newbury to hopefully escalate this to someone that will do something about this matter or to warn potential parents that use the soft play.

On Friday February 16th around 2:15 a child between 4-5 years old presumably with some sort of delay smeared his fecal matter in the children’s soft play area in several locations. It wasn’t completely evident for any of the children or parents for around half an hour until several children reported seeing the child do it. By this point the mother removed her child and they left. At least two children had the fecal matter on their clothing and skin and the smell became overwhelming.

Around this time there were at least 15 children and several mothers. A lady left to get the attention of the staff of the leisure centre as I was preparing to leave as I very obviously did not want my son to become contaminated. As I was leaving, a young male lifeguard was sent into the soft play area with a tub of hand sanitising wipes. He then left and brought back another lifeguard. As we were leaving, they had done nothing to address the situation or room full of people.

When I arrived home thirty minutes later, I phoned the leisure centre because I wanted to be sure that whomever was in charge of the cleaning effort was aware that the fecal matter was likely spread throughout all of the soft play area, seating and toilets due to the amount of children and the time that all of us were clearly unaware of the situation. I spoke to a very condescending member of staff named James that assured me that the two lifeguards have cleaned everything and expressed his disappointment that the parent of the child didn’t deal it themselves. He took my name and number, but I never received a call back.

I phoned again today, Saturday the 17th and spoke to Michelle describing the above and was told that the lifeguards are trained to be cleaners and that they cleaned everything between swimming lessons. I asked what protocol or procedures are in place for such a situation and she became frustrated and ultimately put the phone down on me.

I am not upset at the leisure centre because of the situation, I am upset at how they’ve responded.

I feel the response was inappropriate and frankly dangerous to the health of the children that use the soft play and to the two young men that ‘cleaned’ the area. Two young men in lifeguard gear - shorts and a short sleeved shirts - are going to completely and thoroughly clean the area, decontaminate each ball, etc with hand sanitising wipes and no gloves? There wasn’t even hand soap in the soft play toilets on the day. I also do not think this type of cleaning should be handled by someone that isn’t specially trained and paid appropriately.

I really like bringing my son to this soft play and while I’m not a germophobe or clean freak by any description, I find managements level of apathy regarding this extremely concerning and I will hesitate to return. I do not believe the area was thoroughly and appropriately cleaned and sanitised as it was open again the following morning.

As I’m sure you are aware, you can become very sick from fecal matter and I am going to contact the local environmental health on Monday to report this as I believe it’s not been dealt with appropriately and is still a potentially...

The renovation is outstanding! So so pleased with all the facilities I have used so far (gym, showers (bit too hot for me but the pressure is great), changing room (very clean).

You can watch disney plus (+many more) on the cardio machines!!

The staff have always been wonderful with an extra special mention for Karl in the gym and Ethan on the front desk. They are both so friendly and always so helpful! As with any launch, there are new team members and they have collectively brought everything to another level! Another special mention for Blake (supported me in signing up) and Tom (supported my mother in signing up).

Gyms haven't felt the same since the pandemic but these guys have nailed bringing that atmosphere back but with all the necessary cleaning routines to complete the new comfort we have all come to expect.

It is always somehow both full of life yet your workout will feel personal and undisturbed by anything else.

My top three favourite new unexpected features are:

1. the buggy bay just situated behind the stairs (why aren't these in every establishment!)

2. the separation of the freeweight room and the gym itself. I personally find these are a different style of workout and the energy I bring to them is the same. I am motivated differently and these spaces cater to that perfectly.

3. The quieter area for stretching/mat work. Definitely saved the best until last here! It is in its own area which is attached to the gym but hidden for that lovely privacy which is a big plus for me. It is kitted out with the best stretching and muscle revival equipment including massage guns!!!

In its own paragraph and giving it the attention it deserves; you will feel safe. I hate that this has to be written but most of us in one way or another will have experienced a situation, a feeling or a fear for safety in workout spaces. I have never felt safer and more respected. From the staff right through to the little details I have listed above, it promotes inclusivity. Whoever is responsible for the design 👏👏👏

So if it wasn't already clear, I couldn't recommend this place more. If you have ever come to Northcroft before the refurbishment and in anyway we're dissatisfied I implore you to come for just one visit, it will...

Review for new softplay.

We went to the new softplay today and I’ve got to say that it was overall great and a vast improvement on the dark and filthy one that was there previously. A good addition to Newbury.

However, I can’t though give 5 stars for the following:

1. the 0-2 area was overrun by large kids, but when I alerted reception I was told it was the responsibility of parents to manage as they were too short staffed to assign anyone to soft play. There is also no one on the doors monitoring who is in there so I suspect a lot of people will sneak in and overstay their sessions making it over capacity.

2. why is it more expensive for a second child to book than an adult with the first child? What is the logic? Also babies charged the same as big kids.

3. the toilets were already filthy at 10.30am (it opened at 10!) and there was no hand soap either. If the cleaners cannot refill the hand soap as a bare minimum then I suspect within 2 months the entire place will be rank and just like the old soft play as it shows their cleaning is poor. Thoroughly cleaning a soft play daily is absolutely imperative - the play mirrors in the higher levels were smeared and disgusting.

4. parking during the lido family swim slots is almost non-existent. If you can even get in the carpark opposite (as the northcroft one will definitely be full), you have to pay to park or traipse to get a ticket from reception and take it back to your car - not happening with two small kids and a massive queue of people waiting for the lido.

The biggest issue with northcroft as a whole is the poor cleaning - the indoor swimming areas (waiting area, changing rooms, showers and toilets) are absolutely vile, even at 8am on a Sunday morning which means they aren’t even cleaned overnight. I fed back about this over a year ago and no change. This should be the absolute basic level of cleaning expected for the facility and they should be checked and cleaned hourly...