South Woodford Library and Gym

Negative experience: A warning that the gym has been closed for the last month yet they are not cancelling my membership until the end of this month and they have charged fully for whilst the gym was closed due to 'structural problems' which are a huge worry in any event. I hope the team respond asap to my complaint about this. It is very unfair.

Negative experience: Don't like to give libraries a poor review as they serve an important role in the community however this library is exceptionally poor. My experience with it has so far been to show up expecting it to be open (according to the specific information on the website for that day) but it was inexplicably closed and other people stood outside as well who had made the same mistake. I emailed to enquire why and where the accurate information can be found but didn't receive a response. I went back a few days later to get two specific books that the library catalogue said were both on the shelf. Neither of the books could be located so again the information published online is not fit for purpose.

Negative experience: Called in South Woodford library to ask about books on the local area, greeted (just about) I explained what I was looking for but could not see in the library, I was pointed towards some doors and told you might see what you want in there, I entered the room (study room?) no books on the local area, so just left, not helpful staff at this library at all, I later visited Wanstead Library, my word what a difference, first rate help

Negative experience: I have been going to this gym (in honesty due to convenience as it is local) from around 2015. Since then prices have raised significantly and facilities haven’t really improved. They have since added a leg press (thank god), added a smith machine and increased free weights to 30kg but the equipment is still lacking (no cable cross or barbells to add plates to other than one bar). However, equipment is constantly breaking down/ out of order, equipment not put back (not gym staff fault this one) and the gym is usually filthy. I mean cobwebs, dirt/ sticky floors and just general lack of hygiene. The worst issue however is the attitude of some of the reception staff and trainers (not all trainers - Paul and some others are friendly and good at what they do), which is constantly rude and dismissive. On weekends despite paying a higher price for this gym than some Central London ones (£47 a month) they will try and kick you out 10-15 minutes early despite the close time being 6pm. I have never been to a gym before or any place in honesty, that kiss their teeth, yell at you and turn off lights whilst people are working out stating the gym closes at saying people need to be out at least 5 minutes before closing time if not earlier rather than the actual closing time. If you want to close at 5.45 or 5.55 maybe state this on the opening hours. Also doesn’t feel great as a woman (although I can handle myself) to be stood over by a guy much bigger than you demanding you get out and having a go at you despite it still being 5 minutes until closing. Okay - rant over but in short I would advise going to another gym if you can. As there is cheaper, cleaner and better out there!

Fantastic experience: The staff are excellent at the gym reception. Lovely guys and lovely girls. The trainers are great especially Tracy, Katie, Nailla and Suhail. Terrific gym.

Fantastic experience: If you live in the area the library is free so i won't talk about it, it is a library so you will find all the expected facilities in a library. i just went there to view the gym tbh since there's nothing online that shows it enough. It is nice, However it's quite expensive for what it's offering. you will get a nice looking gym with an acceptable amount of machine to keep you fit. There was a group exercise room that i didn't take a picture of because there was a class happening, but it's there fyr. Hope that was useful for anyone who was considering this gym

Negative experience: Very old gym facilities as most of them are really dirty and half broken.. however the fee is extremely high for what is it. Never managed to book a class as they are always overbooked from the previous week. The staff is friendly but they always rush to close from 10 minutes before the closing time. Will definitely not continue my membership

Fantastic experience: The library is a good, safe place to take disabled people, they enjoyed the peaceful surroundings, and staff are very welcoming.

Negative experience: If you are looking for a quiet place to work, I would not recommend this library at all. Both the staff and people there are very loud and do not respect the quiet ambiance that should be found at a library. It's impossible to concentrate nor complete any work.

Negative experience: Defiantly one of the worst libraries I have been to. Went to this library to revise some work and felt more like I was in a park. Loads of girls doing no work but speaking extremely loudly, laughing loudly, sitting in the library, doing nothing but making loads of noise, the librarian’s don’t do nothing to minimise the noise. It was impossible to concentrate. Never again!

Fantastic experience: I joined the library which was really quick. Really nice people work here too. Highly recommended.

Negative experience: I have been a member of South Woodford library since 2021 having moved to the area and have never had a reason to leave a bad review as I have always found male staff behind the front desk to be professional, experienced and helpful. However, I visited South Woodford library on Wednesday 5 April 2023 @ 16:00. On this occasion two British males both with dark hair (one wearing glasses) were behind the front desk. Before I even approached the front desk I was stared at by the male wearing glasses which made me feel uncomfortable. I was appointed a computer where I sent a print job to the printer (in all I printed 10 jobs). I approached the front desk to inform them of a print job from PC 10 and subsequently collected them from the printer. By this time a queue had built up by the front desk yet, once again, before I even approached the desk to pay for my print jobs, the other male (who had very spotty skin) alerted a female that I just needed to pay for my print job. Weirdly, as he said this, he seemed to have a smug grin on his face. I noticed he had written down the EXACT AMOUNT of my jobs (a couple were in colour). I felt a shiver come down my spine at this instant as if this male had perused my personal information. I have never had this experience before and would urge computer members not to use their service. I won’t be anymore!!!

Positive experience: Good ambience. It is great to have a gym in the neighbourhood though the facilities are limited.

Positive experience: Alright, the gym doesn't get super busy and the facilities are good

Negative experience: Really nice staff. however place is way too expensive for the size/amount and quality of the gym. I tried both Woodford and South Woodford and they are both tiny and equipment is really old. I am paying all this money and I am not allowed to use the studio in order to do my stretching even when the gym is full and there are no classes planned. Library is tiny and from the 15-20 books I was looking I couldn't find any. Horrible ventilation and last time I visited Woodford branch they did not have water and only one tiny/dirty toilet to use. Finally I sent an email in order to cancel membership and not only they charged me an extra month, I had to pay fee for ''late payment'' without any notice. When I emailed them they said they did not get any emails even when I sent a screenshot as a proof. Never again. I am currently going to a bigger gym paying 30 pounds per month including all classes and modern facilities.

Fantastic experience: I would like to thanks Sue for always keep a smile to my kids and help me requesting books from other libraries.

Fantastic experience: Good gym — maintenance of toilets is an issue

Negative experience: If I could I would give it 0 stars. I was being helped by a lady named Mira or myra. She was supposed to help me with the printer & after 10 mins of waiting, she went back to her desk. When I told her I was waiting & that she could have informed me that the printer was not working, she said ‘I can’t roll out a red carpet for you’. She started to accuse me of being rude and began to argue with me. Never have I experienced such horrible customer service. Will never go back there. Disgusting service.

Fantastic experience: Nice place

Negative experience: It's rubbish, it's basically a garage someone converted into a "gym", no support no real machines unless you consider gym 2 hours of running on a treadmill theres no other value to this place, and £47 a month its the biggest joke I've ever seen, they trap you with only 14days to quit otherwise your stuck for min 3 months paying money to a gym that won't help you lose weight or do much else, 10/10 for hamsters though, all the running equipment in the world( treadmills)

Negative experience: Visited the library on 23rd August 2021 around 5:15pm. Very dissapointed with the female libarian who was on duty that evening. My 8 year old daughter experienced discrimination by her. My daughter was very excited to discuss the book review as she was completing the book challenge. The libarian informed me that she was short staffed and therefore couldn't complete the book review with my daughter. So we decided to browse for more books when i over heard another child discussing her book with the same libarian. We felt we were discriminated because of our ethnicity. We had come all this way as my daughter has a passion to read and librarys are supposed to encourage that. I iust hope this doesnt happen to anyone else as we should be treated equally.

Fantastic experience: I encountered a charming,friendly and helpful team on my visit to South Woodford library. I would like to thank Wa and Katy for their assistance when I needed to use a computer. They made me feel comfortable about being slightly technically challenged.

Fantastic experience: Very good staff very helpful and understanding

Fantastic experience: Really good

Fantastic experience: Place ain't fancy but got all the stuff you'd need for a.good workout... also plenty of space to stretch out.

Fantastic experience: Good social distancing

Fantastic experience: Well spaced out. Clear instructions and keep to social distancing, and was in and out within 5 mins to borrow books.

Fantastic experience: Felt safe, lots of space to work out. Hand cleansing stations throughout. Booking system was very easy to use. Pleased to be back.

Fantastic experience: Brilliant! I'm so glad to be back. Everything well spaced and more hand sanitiser and disinfectant than Sainsburys

Fantastic experience: Excellent. Really friendly staff. Does what I need it to!

Fantastic experience: Great

Negative experience: Bit too small for me, seems a bit shambolic when busy.

Fantastic experience: Great opening hours and helpful staff

Negative experience: Have joined the gym few months ago, looked at the reviews they didn't seem too bad also it's close to my house so that was convenient. Had to cancel my gym membership after few days at the gym as it was the worst gym I have ever been to. The gym is so small there is no space to do anything apart from going on a running machine which is so old that it keeps on moving while you run, honestly felt that it would break every time I used it. Not worth the money at all! And to add to that I have requested a refund as it did not meet my expectations and now it's been more than a month and I'm still waiting for it even though the lady said it will be 14 days for a cheque to come. Every time I email them they tell me that they will look into this and get back to me in few days and they never do! Seriously people are paying a lot of money for nothing so could at least get some good customer service in return! If you decided to open a gym at least it needs to be managed properly.

Fantastic experience: Great Library as the opening and closing times are very convenient and great compared to other libraries arounfd

Fantastic experience: Long opening hours to 10 PM on weekdays and 6 PM on weekend. Near public transport. Free computers and tablets. Free WiFi.

Fantastic experience: A library. Free books. What more could you want? Gym is well equipped and has super long opening hours

Negative experience: Too expensive

Negative experience: I am not very happy with the service I receive I am entitled to use the library Why do school children studying for their exams take a priority over adults looking for work and they tell me to to shut up I am 46 I am not going to be told to shut up by a 16 year old stuck up teenagers. The manager at South Woodford Library is not very good he needs to grow a spine and stand up to the teenagers and needs to show some respect for the elders.

Positive experience: Great liabrary but the Black guy is rude.

Fantastic experience: Greatest library in South Woodford. Great selection of books. The gym is good value. Staff are friendly and helpful. Very good opening hours Car park expensive but close by Have been back many times. Rejoined the gym 8 years later and it is good to see that it is still popular. The equipment is the same, though a couple of new bits of kit have been added.

Fantastic experience: Excellent . Fantastic amenity and amazing opening hours

Positive experience: Use it for the gym, pretty decent for price. Ideal for maintenance rather than big weights. Array of cardio and resistance machines. Has a good TRX area. Circuit classes popular. Reception staff are friendly

Fantastic experience: Friendly welcoming staff who are always happy to assist you. Great atmosphere. Long opening hours are great and events run for both children and adults are good fun too! Will be a returning library customer as long as I live in the area, thank you vision :)

Fantastic experience: The library has become alot better. Lovley staff and very cheap printing compared to other librarys.

Fantastic experience: The library has great disabled access, super clean toilets and a quiet area with plenty of sockets and usb ports to charge your device with - can get very busy and noisy during exam season, so look for a bigger library if you want to go during busier periods. Only library I know open till 10pm which is so handy during exam season.

Positive experience: Vision run this facility and have a Gym onsite

Fantastic experience: Excellent