Riverside Leisure Centre

Fantastic experience: Great ring always enjoy it

Fantastic experience: A friendly, clean and well organised complex. Adequate parking unless there are big events going on. An asset to the local community, with focus on being open to all ages and fitness levels. I don’t regret leaving corporate gyms, why pay double for less? I think the cafe downstairs is missing a trick; they should harness the location and offer protein snacks, protein brownies, protein drinks/shakes (pre-made or made to order) - think ‘Protein Bar’. I have seen other fitness centres and gyms with these and they are successful.

Fantastic experience: Couldn't be more happy one of a very few pools you term up casual swim without have pay membership fee's

Fantastic experience: Really friendly, helpful staff..! Yesterday I took my three children skating, the 10am session.. The staff were all smiling, friendly and so helpful. Staff on the rink rushing to help people when they had fallen, helping them up and making sure they were OK. Then the kids had the pleasure of meeting the giant penguin that came on the ice for photos, such a nice touch.. Plus the snow which made everyone smile. 10/10

Negative experience: What’s the point in having parking open to public with limited parking for actual gym members? - if you have a car don’t waste your time here

Fantastic experience: I did go swimming with Rachel while doing exercises.

Fantastic experience: Great leisure centre. Nice staff. Great gym facilities. Very lucky to have this in Chelmsford

Fantastic experience: I must agree that the receptionists are really friendly and helpful. I'm disabled and come to sport for confidence for swimming and boccia. All of the team especially Victoria, both Jessica's, Tom, James also the volunteers for boccia Nathan and Sam help so much. I hope I've not forgotten anyone and I can highly recommend Riverside leisure centre in Chelmsford.

Negative experience: Absolutely insane booking system to swim,staff struggling to explain how we even book a swim,need a special card to book swim which they have at reception,but you can't have a card you have to go away fill in a online form,come back get a card go away again book a swim and then maby you can swim.

Negative experience: The Booking and website is against the Data Protection Act and against UK LAWS. To be able to go there once I have to pay membership which is outrages, I will not use facilities every again but I have to have membership, what a stupid person think of that. Then I have to give them my address and all for one time use. This should be optional, unless they have discounts for residents, but even then it should be optional. I dont want to give you my detials to store when I visit just once. The facility is so bad and the flume is not family friendly. It is next to kids place but only kids above 1.20 height can use it. It's like a carrot for donkey on stick but for kids. The flume is there but you cant use it. What an idiot without kids approach approved such a bad idea, I know - ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL staff!!!!

Negative experience: The worst place to take your kids swimming don’t think that you can just turn up and pay as you go as more often than anything it’s completely booked and when you do get in it’s the most disgusting place that you could go and take a swim I think that stagnet ponds are cleaner as for the customer service only approach the Asian lady who bends over backwards to help as for the rest of them they should not even bother coming in as it’s clear they do not want to be there my comment is very honest and reflects this place to a T if it causes any offence maybe take it on board and do something with about it as we residents of Chelmsford need somewhere that’s easy to get in to with out faffing around and for it to be clean

Negative experience: First week of membership had yo pay a fine, which everyone forgot to tell about. Total disappointment for a first impression.

Negative experience: The reception staff are rude, they won’t let you cancel and don’t care about there customers they also lied to us so wouldn’t advise getting this gym

Positive experience: First time attending as a family of 4 for the family float session. Booked online which was long winded and faffy having to create a membership simply to pay as you go. On arrival my 3 year old son headed straight for the toddler pool only for them to query why we didn’t have wrist bands. Upon checking our booking we were told we were only allowed to use the main pool. Clearly the confusion on my face was plain to see as another member of staff came over to explain. He was ever so pleasant and I of course understand they have to adhere to numbers for health and safety reasons but I can’t understand why you can only book to use either the learner/toddler pool OR the main pool. I have an older daughter who wanted to be in the main pool but my son didn’t. It doesn’t explain this on the website when you book but even if it had it’s not a family swim if you have to split your family up to take each child to separate pools and I most definitely was not paying £50 to swim for 1 hour across both pools. This wasted 10-15 minutes of our 1 hour session and when we did enter the pool it was freezing and although the kids had fun we were all ready to get out by end - complete with blue lips. Not sure we will be back again!

Negative experience: Ice rink is good but the new Riverside development is a real disappointment, swimming pool is a massive missed opportunity by the Chelmsford Council. Visit Maldon for swimming it's far better.

Fantastic experience: We went to the fun swim last Saturday and it was excellent. It was very well organised and the lifeguard team clearly had everyone’s safety as a priority as well as being approachable, fun and friendly. My 6 and 7 year olds enjoyed the flumes and inflatable assault course and we will definitely be back. Well done and thank you.

Fantastic experience: Joined this weekend with my 2 teenage daughters and so far we’re loving it! Clare from the membership team was great and the gym staff are very helpful and non judgy

Fantastic experience: I’m a new member to Riverside and have to say, absolutely love it so far. The facilities are excellent, particularly the spin and class studios, great atmosphere and instructors. The reception team are super friendly and helpful and nothing is too much trouble. The gym team are also friendly and knowledgeable, but not pushy. The booking system is easy to use and the introduction of the yearly permit is a great idea! I came from Virgin active which was double the price and didn’t have half of the above.

Positive experience: Great Ice Rink, have had loads of fun here.

Negative experience: Just rubbish rules, 16£ just to be able to book swim online...

Positive experience: I use the pool for lane swimming most weeks. The changing rooms are nice and clean - never any queues (for lane swimming) and plenty of bike racks outside. My only gripe is no soap in the showers (bring your own) and the pool could be a bit cleaner (stuff on the bottom).

Negative experience: Been a member here for years paying £100 a month for the family. Rarely Make use of what we are paying for but booked the family on for a swim at the weekend, drive half an hour to get there to be told by an unbelievably rude and hostile receptionist that our child wasn’t on the booking. I explained that both myself and my partner are on there and I definitely booked our 8 month old child on. I think she actually took pleasure in telling us we needed to leave despite it being a malfunction with their booking system. After all the years of membership and money they’ve had I honestly could not believe the atrocious service. Cancelling our membership immediately and will find a centre with friendlier and more helpful staff. Looking at other recent reviews this is a common trend with rude staff and booking systems which don’t work correctly.

Negative experience: Kids pool was fully booked with what I saw about 5 people so was going to just go home but the staff convinced me the other pools was fine foe a 2yr old that's never been before, well we didn't get off the second step as was well to deep as I originally said to them waste of money use to be run so much better before these changes

Negative experience: Awful. This swimming pool is not adequate for a place that has city status. We used to have a Lido outside swimming pool, diving boards and flumes. Where is the fun for the kids? Where is the imagination? Whoever signed this swimming pool off had no clue of our cities needs for families. I hope this matter will be addressed at some time. As a child I have fond memories of the old pool, I can't believe we only have just this now tragic. I go to Woolwich Leisure centre where they got it right .. deep pool wave machine, waterfall, sloped entries (better for people with disabilities) into the main pool, flumes, onside jacuzzi and sauna all included in the price. Seems no feedback from public was generated on the plans and blueprint before it was built which is amazing. All they did was concentrated on the ice ring not realising children should be encouraged to learn to swim, not skate there is nothing here generating fun for kids to enjoy and learn about water safety.

Negative experience: Absolutely awful booking system. A cranky user-unfriendly web page that requires far too many details before you can book. Requires setting up a membership, even though we’re not likely to come back, and why do you need my date of birth and address? Why do I need to specify adults and children if the price is the same? Top tip, when it asks for your address, give theirs. Nobody checks. Ice skating itself was reasonably priced for a 2hr session, but they let far too many people in meaning we’re all playing dodgems. Finally, why does hiring a skating aid cost more than the actual entry ticket?! D+ Could do better.

Negative experience: I have been a customer for years. Today two members of staff harassed me and prevented me from training. Moments prior, the receptionist abruptly insisted I needed to commit to a monthly contract to use the gym and I could not pay for a single session as I have before. I joined and paid £49 online as suggested. A second staff member then followed me and accosted me by the vending machine. I showed him my membership receipt, by which he appeared taken aback. He rambled for several minutes creating spurious reasons to deny me access to the facilities. Each time I addressed his points but he wouldn’t listen. I conducted myself politely and reasonably given the circumstances and left. I am appalled by the way I was treated as a customer. I will be making a formal complaint and contacting my bank for a refund.

Negative experience: Reception staff is disgracefully rude but the place isn't too bad.

Fantastic experience: Been ice skating for the last 3 weeks and loving it, nice facilities and friendly staff

Negative experience: absolute shocking experience car parks a joke staff are too busy or clueless just money hungry with no regard to people actually enjoying themselves never again

Negative experience: Useless. Told me I can book and pay on the day. Got there and it was full. Awful customer service. We drove in from Ipswich which I explained to them I would be when I phoned. Computer said no, “we’re full” Thanks guys. We were looking forwards to our swim.

Negative experience: First world problem here, but hey - all things are relative.... For two weeks in a row now a good number of families have wasted a good portion of a Sunday due to the ice rink 'suddenly' becoming closed. Never mind the hurt this has caused the birthday girl in question (this was the whole reason for going in the first place) but the inconvenience it has caused for everybody else. In future, if you have a problem then fix it outright - don't just throw a pair of tweezers at it. Or, worse still, rely upon your obvious monopoly to see your business through another day.

Negative experience: Possibly the worst website I have ever encountered recently. Navigation / design / content could all use some work. Found what I needed purely by accident. Also cannot understand why you need to 'sign up' for one ice skating session!

Negative experience: Kind of sad it is much cheaper to swim out of my area. Riverside is quite expensive to pay as you go. Colchester has a bigger pool and is nearly half the price and concessions apply peak or off peak. I'd like to swim one evening every week at Riverside but works poor value for money. Where as at other pools it is around the £3.60 mark making it accessible financially if you are close enough and something you can do continuously and constantly. When the price is higher £6odd per time, like it is at Chelmsford, swimming has to be the thing that has to be given up. The pool is smaller sadly. It would be nice to have women's only times. It's a shame to have facilities in your local area that ideally you need because alot of people with mobility issues and health issues swimming is the one exercise they can participate in because it is not weight baring but priced out of it.

Negative experience: Ice skating birthday party- a total rip off and disaster! Repenting our decision to organise party with them. Would give zero or even minus stars if were possible. Highly *NOT* recommended. So we organised our kid’s birthday party here. All I can say is it was a disaster. There is a lady called H*len who over the years have been repeatedly rude and forceful at all communications but holds an important position and organises these parties. She rushed us to say yes to coaching children before the party. Instead of 15 min, it was a 5 min coaching, nothing that kids wouldn’t have picked by themselves! Then we were given a ‘party host’, who was the worst. Not sure how can a paid professional behave the way they did! Beginning to end, did nothing but gossiped and time pass. Children would have been completely lost and unattended had it not been for some Parents who took skating. I kept asking the party host to organise some fun stuffs for the kids so they are not scattered everywhere or lonely but for two long hours they were left to ‘free skate’ in a busy rink where other lessons were going on etc. For last 15 min they were told to do an activity ie prep something between themselves. Easy for the host but no fun to majority of the kids! Also badly timed as I had planned a group pic! We also felt that at one point the party host perhaps swapped a role with some other coach for sometime and wore their reflective jacket! This is during the party they were meant to be ‘hosting’! Children got tired and bored including the birthday kid, who I would have thought the party host could have at least paid some attention to! Disgusting and such a big waste of money! Thankfully we didn’t order the expensive food from Churchills which again H*len almost tried forcing us to get into by telling us no food is allowed in the Mezzanine area blocked for us. That wasn’t true as confirmed by other members of staff. Terrible to be leaving such a memory on a child’s birthday. They must buckle up and discuss this feedback to improve. Lady called H*len- needs to tone down and start giving due respect and care to her customers and inform them truthfully and fully without making them uneasy re asking questions. Would *NOT* recommend them to anyone.

Positive experience: I have to give a positive vote and a negative vote to the Riverside organization. The positive one is to congratulate them for placing a cold water shower in the changing rooms on the first floor. There would only be one missing in the changing rooms where the pool is, but I must also inform of the behavior of the teenagers in the gym on the first floor, they arrive in groups and camp at their leisure, occupying the machines, and sit on them to send WhatsApp messages or whatever, they use the facilities to have fun, they play with the machines and They occupy the places that we adults need. One of these days they will catch a finger while manipulating the machines and blood will flow then they will ask Riverside for compensation. They should ban mobile phones, as I mentioned last time, a more serious security control is needed otherwise. The facilities and the staff that serve you are wonderful. I hope I have not offended with this comment, which I hope will help you reflect on the matter.

Fantastic experience: Well my experience is at Riverside Ice Leisure that had changed my real life real public life an also real everything also an I love going to the Gym plus also Swimming also because. Those are my brand newest sports activities that I loved an enjoyed most plus also learn new things in the Gym an also went on new Gym equipment that I never ever been on before however first time in history of mankind an mine. An also have meet new people an staff an lifeguards also an ive course made new friends there on the way an also have been working on my real self also an also will try an try reaching my goals an lose more an more weight also an becoming a fitter man an also will be continuing an going there every Mondays/Wednesdays and Fridays only since I've choosen those days also an I can't to go there again an again an again.

Negative experience: It takes a certain type of owner to carry out improvements and actually make the place worse! Fewer ringside seats, poorer sightlines and the cafe removed. What a shame!

Negative experience: After a year paying every month on time. I didn’t attend once a booking class and they charged me 6 pounds. Saying that it is on terms and condition. And not forgive it even once. We are humans not computers…

Negative experience: Absolutely terrible , this place does not believe in answering phones , be it morning afternoon or evening it is a pointless time consuming activity

Fantastic experience: *ice rink only* the ice rink is amazing, it’s large and is a good place to practice. “instructors” (they are staff and you will see them on the rink in high-vis normally) are friendly and helpful!

Fantastic experience: I visited here to visit the swimming pool for the first time in years. I had emailed first as I was not sure if we needed a card to use the pool. I got a phone call in response to it and the caller was helpful and gave me information about disabled access and changing facilities. We left my wheelchair in the buggy park and we managed to find a disabled changing room which was fitted with a toilet and shower as well as a few lockers inside. The lockers are operated by putting in a £1 coin which is returned so you can lock it. The only problem we then had was there was no where to keep a radar key whilst we swam so we used an outside locker. The pool was not to busy parts were sectioned of for lessons but there was 2 lane areas for swimming 1 deep and 1.2 m. Had a good time swimming until I had problems with pain issues, my daughter asked if she could either use a wheelchair or could get mine, the lifeguard straight away got me a chair to sit down on and went to get me a wheelchair a different guard stayed near by incase I needed more help until the first returned with a chair she then helped us to a different changing room again with toilet and shower but also had hoists and an adult changing area. All in all a good visit and we hope to make it a weekly trip in the future. A big thank you to all the staff.

Negative experience: First week yoga session 'ok'. Instructors vocals were mostly inaudible so l mostly just watched and copied. Second week session cancelled. No prior warning. Reception staff clueless and unhelpful. Total waste of time.

Fantastic experience: Riverside Ice and Leisure is a fantastic facility that offers a wide range of activities for all ages. The ice rink provides a fun and exhilarating experience, whether you're a beginner or an experienced skater. The leisure pool is perfect for a refreshing swim, with its slides and water features. The staff is friendly and helpful, ensuring a safe and enjoyable visit. The facilities are clean and well-maintained, adding to the overall experience. Riverside Ice and Leisure is a great place to spend quality time with family and friends while staying active.

Fantastic experience: Brilliant gym and swimming pool. All facilities are always clean and staff are more than willing to help. Richard and Millie’s aqua classes are fantastic! Would highly recommend.

Fantastic experience: Great service, amazing staff, It's really great here. We went ice skating, swimming and am currently eating with my son in the restaurant, the value for money is really great for chelmsford, especially the home-made malteser cake, yum! It's all culminating in a really great day.

Negative experience: OMG the online booking system must have been 'created' by a 3 year old, what absolute rubbish. 3 bookings becomes 4 bookings if you leave the box 'include yourself' ticked. Any mistake can't be changed for 19 minutes (timed out) what absolute junk

Negative experience: worst, very not user friendly and not intuitive site I know!!! high prices for a small number of available places and order to book in advance (if you don't show up, you pay a penalty) and forcing you to pay for at least half a year!!! terrible organization without any competent help, they do not answer the phone and the help on site is not very encouraging to visit this place. another anti social project in Chelmsford!!!

Negative experience: Went to watch ice hockey tonight and the security guard screamed at my girlfriend. It was so bad that someone came up to her and asked if she was okay. If that blonde guy is working there watch out as he's on a huge power trip. Disgusting as a security guard.

Negative experience: Not enough parking and way too many people on the ice.... Just dangerous. Receptionist mostly rude everytime I come.... It's a shame there isn't a better idea rink nearby

Fantastic experience: Lovely ice rink, reasonably priced cafe open on weekends during public sessions just dont bother with the hot chocolate its really awful

Negative experience: We try to see if we can book ice skating, and call them up after having difficulty. After ages on the phone we give up and drive up seeing if we can book for the afternoon instead. We turn up and they say it is full which is ok, as it is a busy time of year but, it would’ve been appreciated if they would actually pick up to say ‘no spaces are left’. We then have just paid for parking to find out we can’t even do the activities there, so we go to the cafe where the staff are quite snappy at you and rude. Also the food is WAY overpriced, it’s actually ridiculous!

Positive experience: Took my son, friend and her kids ice skating today. £8.50 to park the car for 5 hours (to get food after ice skating). £3.50 to hire a penguin for the kid which you can only use for 30 minutes (in a 2 hour session) - who came up with that idea? £5 on drinks from the most expensive vending machine in the world. I do however like the leisure centre and the facilities are clean and tidy, but when you already pay £36 for a family ticket + an extra child ticket, to add £8.50, £3.50 and £5.00 on is just a rip off, especially during a cost of living crisis. So a £36 day out turned into a £53 visit to Chelmsford Riverside. How about providing a reduced parking ticket for people coming here?

Negative experience: We took our son to the soft play on Sunday 27th October. Cafe closed, all vending machines were broken, really poor upkeep.

Fantastic experience: Superb facilities. Swimming pool clean including showers toilets and changing cubicles. Great value for money for memberships and I would recommend this centre to a friend. Booking systems on the app are quick and easy. Lifeguards do a superb job along with letting you know to change lanes when needed.

Fantastic experience: The good experience begins right form when you pull up, easy to park ,lots of spaces. The front entrance is clean tidy and at staff members . The pool area is clean and inviting to use. The changing rooms immaculate. I will definitely return to use this. Yes it's a shame there's no diving area anymore.

Fantastic experience: Great, modern facilities for children to learn swimming. Practical timings and no last minute cancellations. Clean. Ample parking. Learnt to swim here myself 30 years ago and now my children are also confident swimmers as a result of this place.

Fantastic experience: Went swimming with my Granddaughter and we had such a nice time. Changing rooms spotless, Splash Pool perfect for her to get her bearings, people watch, settle in. Then the Learner Pool was like a bath! Reception and all other staff we encountered so pleasant and helpful. A thoroughly enjoyable experience for us both.

Negative experience: The most poorly designed place ever. The layout is a joke. The online system is not user friendly at all and not fit for purpose. It's very frustrating to use it so you just give up and go there in person. Incredible that ice skating fees for kids and adults are the same. Typical Chelmsford council continuing to rip off their residents

Positive experience: 1st visit after negotiating the weirdly complex booking process (I’m still not clear if I needed to book) just to book a swim. Facilities nice and clean. Pool very well maintained. Reception staff not very welcoming but that seems to be part of the job description at public pools. Anyway was a nice swim in this hot weather.

Positive experience: Cafe: Useless as it serves cruelly killed animals instead of healthy, plant based food to fight climate change and it gives a poor impression as if this city is living in midddle ages. Vending machine at gym area full of unhealthy dairy snacks. Why teach wellbeing and fitness on one hand and give cancer and heart disease on the other? Makes no sense that the Council is so unevolved. Summer club had good activities for children, early drop off and late collection, at cheaper rates than other childcare. Gym is good though induction or personal training is not that good as they did not check bmi and other body stats properly the first time and the routine suggested was ineffective and made me gain weight instead of losing. Classes: Yoga, dance exercise classes are great but sadly while booking with app, these are always overbooked and impossible to get in. So overall for the price you pay you lose out as my goals were weight loss and dance workouts for fun.

Negative experience: The website is awful, I literally just want to swim but now have to register as a member, pay some annual fee and then go through this again to sign my partner up. Better as it was.

Positive experience: The online booking system (the only way to book) is atrocious and only lets you book 1 ticket per account. I booked my ticket and while I was registering my 2 children the session had filled up. However they called me back promptly when I left a message and sorted out a family ticket. Staff at the centre were friendly and helpful, facilities are clean and the overall experience was very positive. The website needs improving for the 5 star review.

Negative experience: I would give no stars if possible. I came to the swimming session this evening with my 4 and 9 year old sons. We booked to use the learner pool. Whilst using the pool the supervisor made an announcement that it was a baby pool and that anyone 'brave enough' should be in the big pool. It felt as though these comments were directed towards my children and a couple of other groups we came with. My eldest has only recently learnt to swim and is building his confidence and my 4 year old is also still learning and wouldn't feel confident going in the large pool. I cannot split myself in two and wouldn't feel comfortable leaving either child in a pool without me. As far as I understood, families could stay together. Then when my eldest son went to get a toy the man proceeded to tell him that they were for babies. This is terrible customer service. As a teacher I understand that children of any age play and although my children weren't playing the same way a 'baby' would, they were using the toys as part of improving their swimming skills. The man was also not to know that the child he belittled in front of everyone doesn't have special needs. It is unacceptable to speak to any customer of any age the way he did. If he had a problem, he could have pulled one of the adults to the side and had a conversation with us instead of embarrassing a child who already suffers from anxiety. We were at the pool to have fun on a Friday evening and it was spoilt by an apparent supervisor's rudeness. It's safe to say we won't be returning and if you continue to speak to customers in this manner you will be loosing profits.

Positive experience: It's enjoyable for many. I'm talking about the redesign: it looks extremely great, especially at night when it lights up full of colours. What they contain is great. But the negative thing is about the swimming are - its sad to have the diving boards ditched but there is a slide so that's a positive point. I'm not a fan but it's more eco friendly so it's good

Negative experience: It's a leisure centre, so why are we told when to arrive and leave, left standing waiting to get in,told to get out 1hr max no where to relax after the swim, I hate the place colchester is so much better yet I live in Chelmsford, most families only want an hour or so to have a good time, being told to leave, nothing about the place is a leisure It's very regimental money oriented, I'll travel to colchester it has 3 types of pool's,2 Jacuzzis, waterchutes, no time limit no need to book an appointment a restaurant for something to eat totally different vibe to this place, I could go on for ages, waste of my time and money.

Fantastic experience: Looks very beautiful

Positive experience: The staff on reception are miserable and rude. Cafe has overpriced food which is tasteless. The centre itself is nice and clean with food facilities but the workforce let it down.

Negative experience: I took kids for inflatable session. The kids love swimming pools and fun in the water. The place and water was so cold that their teeth were grinding and they were shaking. Both were crying and we had to leave after few minutes! If you don't like cold water don't bother as it's a waste of money. I have sent complaint but never heard back.

Fantastic experience: Great ice skating rink at an affordable price. The app is good at showing times and number of spaces available

Fantastic experience: First time here to go Swimming. Great, nice clean, pool access is good, with accessible lift to pool.

Fantastic experience: Really delightful staff so so helpful.even stopped by staff to do up my boot. Bless..definitely recommend

Fantastic experience: Attended my first boxing fitness class on Wednesday, led by instructor Jake, absolutely brilliant and would recommend it to everyone of every ability and fitness level. Easy to understand and you get a great workout. Can’t wait for next weeks class.

Fantastic experience: The Riverside ice rink is indoors and part of the Riverside leisure centre, it's a fantastic activity. It's open all year round. You may need to pre book a public skating session online but I don't think it gets too busy. Booking includes skate hire. Car park on site as well as a cafe. The reception staff were very helpful

Negative experience: good ice rink nice size. customer service was appalling. staff were very rude and unhelpful. had money stolen from the vending machine and staff were far from helpful when asked to help resolve the situation. would not recommend.

Positive experience: So I had my first swimming lesson at Riverside and I must say the facilities are lovely and clean. The swimming staff were so lovely and supportive and the group of ladies learning were really friendly too. There were a few things that bothered me though. I wasn't so keen on the mixed male and female changing facilities that made me feel a little vulnerable with the big gaps at the bottom of the cubicles, particularly as this had been an issue with the old facilities. The other thing which actually really upset me and is my reason for making tonights review is one of your reception staff. As previously stated this was my first visit to the new pool. The first receptionist I met was friendly and helpful which I was thankful for as I was very nervous. I asked if I needed a coin for the locker and she changed up some money for me, she didn't tell me however that I would need 20p for the hairdryer. So I had to come out and ask again to change money. The receptionist that I had the misfortune of coming across completely ignored me. "I kept on saying excuse me, excuse me." I looked around to see if I was cutting the queue or if she had a customer that I hadn't noticed but no. When I moved around to the front of the reception area with hair sopping wet and face like a beetroot I saw a sign reading "Position closed". How absolutely jobs worth and rude. The worst of it was she did the same thing to a young Mum with a baby and lots of baggage trying to get through the barrier. Bottom line is you can have the most lovely staff inside but if your front of house staff do not like people and can't interact with people you have a major problem. this is not best practice for reception staff. If your position is closed tell the poor person the position is closed nicely and they will move on instead of humiliating people. Thanks

Negative experience: My girlfriend has just started swimming there and she came home to me today and was so upset because the reception staff were so rude and impolite to her. Made her experience horrible. If your on reception you should be warm & welcoming to the guests!

Negative experience: So disappointed after our first family session at the new refurbished Riverside in Chelmsford. There was a party being held in the children's pool so understandably we had to swim in the main pool which is fine but the temperature was so cold!!!!! spent 15 minutes with my 3 year old son wrapped around me chivering and then had to get out!! the most fun he had was in the warm showers!! I hope this doesn't put him off swimming now!! raise the temperature if your going to make children to swim in there! terrible!

Fantastic experience: Went for first match of the season ice hockey. It was a sell out. Good atmosphere. Very crowded, mask were personal choice. Plenty of parking space. After 6pm £1.50 for the night. Food and drinks available, reasonably priced. Suitable for all ages. Good night out.

Fantastic experience: Brilliant facilities here at Riverside, modern up-to-date gym with all the equipment you could need, ice rink is HUGE, pretty slippy and cold as one would expect, swimming pool is.. great also! Parking a plenty (pre-improvement works) and staff seem happy!

Negative experience: Absolutely awful website, the booking process involves more paperwork than a passport application it's incredibly unclear and the pools are average

Negative experience: Haven’t got past the truly awful booking system yet. I can only book one person for a family swim! I’ve tried calling them and leaving messages but no one answers or calls back. Ive tried to book before and same difficulty. Ridiculous.

Fantastic experience: I’m rating the ice rink only as we’ve not used the rest of the complex. Ice skating lessons here have been excellent. The groups are small enough for the children to get the attention they need and the skills are learned quickly with feedback given every lesson. The lessons are reasonably priced. Highly recommend.

Fantastic experience: Just got back from a dance aerobics class at Riverside. It was my first time using the centre. Everyone was really helpful as I had to pick up my card beforehand. The centre was spotlessly clean and tidy, good distancing in the studio. Would definitely join the centre if that was a regular class. Very impressed. Will be returning.

Fantastic experience: It was really nice and the interior looked amazing, I went swimming and you could pick between a 2 meter pool and a 6 foot pool. It was a really clean and fun atmosphere and I got to experience the water slide which did make the experience better with no added cost. The changing rooms are clean, and you get to have a warm shower after. Lockers are free but they do have locks so you have to look after the key and to make sure you don't steal it, you put a pound in and get it back after unlocking it. It was just a wonderfully fun experience with my family.

Negative experience: Yesterday i was walking along the side of the pool when a speedy young boy came running along the pool and clashed into me, making me fall into the deep end. The young handsome beautiful man in red with the whistle jumped in and put his hands on me which i did not ask for. Next time ask me if i want to be touched in the pool before doing it without consent. Sweet dreams, Mary xx

Negative experience: The worse booking setup i have ever experienced. Seriously needs sorting out. Gave up in the end. Absolutely terrible

Fantastic experience: Since reopening they have made the rules easy to understand and I think the regulars respect that. Everything seems to run like clockwork and it shows.

Positive experience: My first swim session. Very well organised. Lovely pool. Very clean. Would definitely recommend. Membership charges are reasonable.

Negative experience: Facilities are good. Spin studio is top notch. But let down by the reception staff, always seem to have unhelpful, standoffish attitude always makes me reluctant to come here. Not clear what to do if I've booked classes but not a full member. Get told something different everytime I visit and the staff aren't the friendliest. Much prefer the staff at Chelmsford Sport and Athletic Centre, unfortunately Riverside has the wider range of classes.

Negative experience: I have to say many people at this centre walk around with attitude, they have no respect for others around them and think as though they own the place when in all essence they are just workers and we are customers so therefore they are providing us a service and should treat us with a little bit of respect. We play basketball here often and pay almost £40 for a court for one hour and they come kick us off 5 mins before the hour and will not even let us take off our t shirts while playing when no one can see and we have booked the whole court. I'm extremely disappointed withe staff here but would like to give some gratitude to Neil who we met last Friday. Neil was a kind gentlemen who treated us as we treated him (respectfully) and we got along very nicely. I hope the staff at riverside see this and think about the way they behave to people who work hard to earn money to play and be able to book an indoor basketball court yet get treated abysmally.

Fantastic experience: Great place for soft play and also really nice gym. Fairly cheap too, I would 100% recommend.

Fantastic experience: Me and my compadres booked a late session to play basketball at this establishment. We were kindly greeted by a man named “neil” he lead us in and was happy to answer any questions. One of the most professional encounters i have had at a any leisure centre. Neil was extremely polite and took his job seriously making sure we all had a pleasurable experience. I felt i had to come home and write a review because this made my day.

Positive experience: The outside queues for swimming have been very good, mind you it's sunny and warm. As winter will be with us soon I expect the public will voice their opinions about waiting outside. Booking for each session and the maximum number of people in the pool I feel is more civilised.

Fantastic experience: Newly rebuilt We visited swimming pool Lovely and clean changing rooms. Impressed with risk management for covid

Fantastic experience: Gyms fantastic with restricted use - no queues for equipment. Before lockdown I was considering leaving due to over crowding in the evenings

Negative experience: Have had membership here for months. Turned up today to take our daughter swimming in family area, told that 10:30 till 11:30 was sold out at 10:20. She told us to come back at 11am to get tickets for the 11:30 till 12:30 block, went back to reception at 11am dead on and was told by same lady they were sold out when there was no queue in front of us and nobody leaving reception before us. My guess?? Sold them earlier than 11am. Membership means nothing here.

Negative experience: Twice I have been to use a facility played my money and gone through, to be evicted when in the pool with my child because of a private lesson. I thought this was a public facility?

Fantastic experience: Great place. New renovations give it a modern look and feel. Nice café in the building with great food. Lots of fun areas for kids.

Negative experience: Took the kids swimming at Riverside the other day, pool was ok not much room because it was divided up into lanes, it was the changing rooms that give it the two stars for me, there is dust everywhere, wherever dust can settle it does and it looks like it hasn’t been cleaned since the building opened absolute disgusting. With a gentle blow I sent dust scratching.

Positive experience: Really slow reception service, hard to find a phone number, staff generally friendly. Ice rink is good and the coaches engaging. Sports hall is a sauna in the summer - bit then it doesn't have a spa so maybe this is a win. I'll let you decide