Impulse Leisure - Blackshots

Positive experience: Lifeguard ‘Nathan’ extremely helpful and attentive to our autistic daughter. Went above and beyond after a ‘swimming teacher’ was rude and unprofessional for no reason.

Negative experience: Very dirty and staff very rude

Negative experience: Don't answer the phone and are hopeless when trying to enquire

Negative experience: Baby pool absolutely freezing which makes it not fun and a horrible experience my baby lasted 10 minutes and then had to get her out due to her turning blue

Negative experience: They never ever answer the phone. I dont understand why offer the option to call if we dont get the receptionist to answer.

Fantastic experience: Wonderful place!

Negative experience: I would say that if you are looking for a cheap, community gym, that offers some classes, a workout facility and some sauna equipment then this is good. However, the gym do not care about cleanliness (it’s disgusting), there are too many kids in the gym during the days (under zero supervision), the staff don’t respond to requests and some of the people who go there are disgusting. This week alone I’ve seen someone shaving their pubic region directly into the sink, someone washing themselves in the sink and draining their flannel (which they’ve used all over their body (use imagination)) and then use the hand dryer to dry their private parts. The shower area in the men’s changing room is so disgusting. I saw two cockroaches which I alerted the staff too (no response) and there has been a used plaster stuck to the wall in the changing room for months. The pool is so dirty I used once and it was revolting. Some of the members are nice, there is a nice community feel and some of the staff are very friendly. However, there is zero care about cleanliness, zero care about memeber acting carefully and most importantly maybe, I hope no kids get injured training in there unsupervised

Positive experience: Pools are always cold, the changing rooms are always dirty and outdated, the podium where parents stay is always dirty. However the swimming teachers and staff is really very friendly

Negative experience: Very bad experience with swimming classes. My son has been going there for swimming and for 10 months they haven't moved him to stage 2. He had 100ds of different teachers and 100ds of class cancellations.

Negative experience: Joined about 4 weeks ago purely because it’s so close to home. I’d read bad things about how dirty it was, but I didn’t quite realise how disgusting it would really be! I’ve been swimming once and won’t use the changing rooms again! The smell made me heave and you could have honestly made a wig from all the wet hair on the floor!!! It is vile!!

Negative experience: Terrible Security - My Bike Got Stolen! I’m absolutely furious with the lack of security at Impulse Leisure Centre. My bike was stolen right outside, and the security is so bad that someone literally cut through my lock with what seemed like a laser gun. When I approached the staff to see the CCTV footage, they just said “sorry, can’t help,” and told me to contact the police, which I already did. To make matters worse, I heard that other bikes have been stolen here recently too! This place needs to seriously step up its security. I wouldn’t trust leaving anything valuable here again.

Negative experience: If you wish to be treated like rubbish, this is the right place to go. Last week, I witnessed a very rude talk between a young lifeguard and a customer. I was not surprised, as it wasn’t the first time this happened. Today, it was my turn to be subject of a very rude lifeguard, acting foolish and totally inappropriate. When it comes to arguing, they go well beyond their job description. But I guess is not much you can expect from these young people, inexperienced and ignorants. I do hope they are better at saving lives, if the case. I strongly believe the management should focus more on the deplorable state of the changing area which looks extremely dirty and unsanitary, rather than making ridiculous rules.

Negative experience: Gym has just been re-done which is great, it looks fab but it just feels incredibly dirty and unhygienic. Every single hand sanitiser is empty and no one wipes down their equipment! Would be nice if there was a cleaner in there wiping down equipment. Stuck in a contract with a dirty gym, great!!

Negative experience: Blackshots, Grays. Staff from gym, especially young girl rudeness is just unbelievable!!! especially with teenagers, they did sports for 2 months and no one paid attention, and then they started to explain new rules, you can't use any weights, after a month they said that you can't use anything except cardio equipment. They're clearly did not say anything when signing the contract, and most importantly They're denies everything, be careful when signing contracts

Negative experience: Starting from customer service lady at the reception goodness so rude never answer the phone and when you come saying that it’s your problem that you haven’t called imagine I called couple of days in a row before entering that door … pool is dirty and cold , gym doesn’t have all facilities I no wonder why they take so much out of membership and locks you for months because once u start coming in you won’t take membership. Everything would be kind of ok but staff rudeness is just unbelievable

Negative experience: Had enough of the terrible swimming lessons and classes. Teachers changing, lessons not mark, receptionists says will help and speak to swim teachers which they don't, rudeness from them, especially the old lady with glasses, seems like is she well known for being rude seeing from other reviews. I just had to give up the lessons for my children. No point paying for lessons where they will not progress. That's the problem with people just clocking for work but absolutely zero passion or care about actually doing their job properly, they just don't care.

Negative experience: Reception does not pick up. Someone needs firing.

Negative experience: racism

Positive experience: Worst place to take your child for swimming lesson. Always cancel classes Kids swimming classes are much better now, no more cancellation. Welldone to the management team - reviewed 14/01/25

Negative experience: Receptionist never picks the phone. No matter what time you are trying to contact she never answers.

Positive experience: I went for a morning swim was good the water was perfect and wasn't too busy but they really need to sort out the lockers as very few work or have the rubber bands on the keys. Lost £1.50 and probably 5 minutes of my allotted time trying to find a locker that would work (I couldn't find one!). I informed reception and they said they were aware and looking to get them fixed. Ok it’s been a week since my review now I’m decided whether I want go back. I’ve been swimming with a float. The first time thought they might say I couldn’t use the float but I was able to do 8 laps. The second time I did about 22. This is the first time I’ve been swimming as exercise for a long time and I’m in serious need of exercise! If I swam without the float I would have been done after 2 laps and would get cramp and wanted to swim leisurely will building stamina. it doesn’t help having Asthma either. You would never of thought I had all my swimming badges and use to swim for my school. I went last Monday. I was really looking forward to a swim as well. Half way into my first lap the lifeguard said I couldn’t use the float in this pool. I had to use the other section. None of the other lifeguards had an issue with me swimming with a float. She said I don’t know whether you can swim”. She could have just asked “Can you swim?”. She eventually asked but didn’t believe me and wanted me to prove to her I could swim without the float. I decided to leave. I asked at reception if it was okay to use a float and explained my purpose of using it. The person there said I could. Although this experience has put me of going back!

Fantastic experience: Nice and big pool.

Negative experience: A white old silly lady at reception telling us we can’t enter gym even tho we have membership paid. Ridiculous hope she retires. Doesn’t know her stuff don’t come here!

Fantastic experience: Only used the playing field this time, not the pool. It's got a lovely kids play park, skateboard park and a football/basketball area. Huge playing field with plenty of room to walk your dog, let the kids loose or just take a leisurely stroll. There are a few benches to take a rest at and a few rubbish bins dotted about. It also has loads of free parking. Happy Days

Negative experience: Tried calling the main reception, no answer call gets disconnected, tried several times throughout the day no answer so crazy, do they actually have humans working at this centre

Negative experience: If I could give it zero, I would, I cannot believe how difficult it is to book swimming. When I was a kid you turned up you swim all day. In 2023 you have to go online or you telephone hang up on you they give you six options on the phone and it doesn’t matter which one you press, they hang up on you

Negative experience: Please avoid bringing your children to the swimming facilities. I regularly bring my 2 year old daughter to the baby and teaching pool and unfortunately the cleanliness has got worse and worse. The baby pool is always freezing yet babies are supposed to be in a temperature of at least 32 degrees which this pool is definitely not. Fortunately the baby pool is generally clean, however the teaching pool is always dirty but very warm. My review is so low due to the fact, I took my daughter here on the 6th of August 2023 and I could not believe what I saw. It was absolutely vile. The baby pool was yet again freezing. However was dirty with mould growing around the sides of the pool. The teaching pool was murky and had mould around the stairs and sides and genuinely smelt like human faeces. It was absolutely disgusting. My daughter was physically sick after using the facilities which tells me there is a serious health and safety issue and the pool needs to be shut down to be cleaned properly and correctly before they make anyone seriously ill. If they cannot do this then they need to shut the facilities permanently as they cannot protect the public from bacteria and disease. I sincerely hope the staff take this seriously as they are putting peoples health at risk.

Positive experience: I’m been a member for roughly over 5 years so I believe I’m qualified to give my opinion. I use all the facilities available. The gym is for member only, you see the same faces everyday. The qualified trainers/staff will always help you out when you ask them. If you are new or just want to try out something new , they are the right people to Show you. Unfortunately the gym equipment hasn’t changed since I’ve been there, last week there was a couple of new machines but not what I was expecting. The air conditioner has been broken many times especially during summer ( this past Year) , however recently I’ve Noticed there have not been any problems. Sauna and steam room are great , occasionally not working but usually at least one room will always work. The shower water inside is too warm, should be much colder after Sauna. People there are alway nice and it’s always the same faces. Swimming area is pretty normal , as a member is easy to book and attend . I use the changing rooms in the gym not the swimming area so I have no opinion on them. Classes are great too , been to many of them . Some part of the membership and some not. All of them have been great so far. Easy book as a member. Reception is not always helpful . But some try there best and it shows.

Fantastic experience: Lovely swim. Pool is a great temperature for swimming. Showers are a little hot but that's probably just me.

Fantastic experience: Great

Fantastic experience: Love this place

Fantastic experience: Great

Positive experience: A very good events venue. I have been here a number of times for parties. The facilities are okay and the number of parking spaces is good as well. The hall is quite big and the facilities are also good.

Fantastic experience: Good

Positive experience: Good leisure for swimming lessons, unfortunately way to busy and have to stay atound for my 2 sons lessons.

Fantastic experience: It has been really good and I am enjoying it. I have made friends in my group.

Positive experience: The pool is a great size and is never too busy in my opinion. I am a member of impulse Leisure and so enjoy the health suite and private changing rooms, however there is always a strange unpleasant smell in the shower room here which I soon get over but it is quite off-putting. The sauna and steam room are incredible and I frequent them.

Negative experience: Been a member for a while but the last month it had really gone downhill, gym needs new equipment, steam room not working and very unclean. Seriously thinking of changing gym .

Negative experience: Disgusting place never go there they didn’t answer they were so bad and the canteen was stinking

Negative experience: Never answers the phone and disrespectful I would never go there disgusting behaviour

Fantastic experience: good place , a memory from secondary, i had a athletc trip and my pe teacher waited for my mum with me , we spoke , we went inside , had the best time , good place to make memories here , and have funnn, went on 3 dec 2020 , feels like yestaday .

Positive experience: Swimming pool depth in one side +- 50 centimeters, can you explain why? In another side is normal depth. Sauna is good, but I think need cold water after sauna, but After sauna you get lukewarm water. It can be more clean place. But anyway its not the baddest place...

Negative experience: Last year (2022)steam room-was out of service for 3/4 months This year (2023) no drinking water on the sauna room , water dispenser out of order from last 4 months. Toilet area most of the time dirty, changing area floors are wet and dirty most of the times Sauna room sometimes not worth to use as its not enough hot … List are very long hopefully management will take care all of this.

Negative experience: The dry changing rooms/ showers stink! And is unpleasant to use. The smell makes you sick. Obviously some sewage issue which has been going in for years.

Positive experience: Took my daughter here, you have to book for a hour session now. But that is actually long enough. As she is only five she goes in the kiddie pool, the pool was nice and clean & the lifeguards throw in floats etc. Only got four stars cos one, didnt have no change for the locker, when asked for some the answer was no so had to leave the bags pool side, why dont they operate a token system i don't know. Also apart from that the toilets & changing area not very clean, could do with a bit of a revamp. Apart from that it was alright, my daughter wants to come back & im happy to oblige.

Negative experience: I have recently started going here afte rmany years the toilets are filthy so is the floors where are the cleaners???

Positive experience: Went here for a dance show and after party. Venue was nice, if in need of a little spruce up. Staff were friendly and although there was a rush to the bar when we got in, it all proceeded quite quickly.

Negative experience: Appalling customer service Called the reception 14 times and no answer.

Negative experience: This is the local swimming pool that you can't even manage to book a kids swimming session online. Good luck getting through on the phone. No one answers...

Negative experience: Disgusting lockers. Conditions are very low and poor. No rules at all. Canteen food is under standard. Was sitting in the parents waiting area and found a plastic box on the floor, next week same box same exact spot. Says a lot.

Negative experience: Having someone answer the phone is pot luck. The membership is not cheap, so the least they can do is answer the phone. The phone rings and is rudely cut off. I have tried to book my kids for a session in the paddling pool, i have called three times during day with no answer. If you can't be bothered to answer the phone allow us to book online.

Positive experience: need to sort the lockers out most didn't work wen I was there to use the pool no keys broken lockers looked a mess I got changed as the changing rooms were dirty I missed the class I was spose to be going to as I has the hump with the lockers by then no one to assist you with anything if you needed help canteen was ok do a nice meal deal staff was friendly not at reception they were not very friendly or helpful wen I asked a question about being disabled they don't have any funds for actives if your disabled wasn't impressed buy the hour I was there

Fantastic experience: Food good value and nice. Staff friendly.

Positive experience: Very dirty.Classes are ok but they need a bunch of cleaners to sort that place out.And no health food in that coffee shop.Staff is polite and kind.

Negative experience: Never answer the phone. Rings and rings . Seems no one can pick up .

Fantastic experience: Lovely place with super helpful, friendly staff.

Fantastic experience: I really like it so far, been coming to this gym for the last 3 months. It feels like a family run business in the fact that people are very friendly. The classes are great, the instructors are great all of them. Really enjoy cycling classes. Thank you! I do not know why there are bad reviews on here as I as a foreigner did not see anything bad of course in my time there.

Positive experience: Went for a steam and sauna

Positive experience: Easy to find stuff em

Fantastic experience: The toilets and shower rooms in the gym look like a hotel's. Really lovely decor.

Positive experience: Went to join, Barbara very helpful, attentive, showed me areas of interest, thank you

Negative experience: scam scam, they just take your money, even if the swiming pool is close. DFC - the membership collecting agents A complete rip off. Impulse saying something completely different getting pushing from one to the other neither resolving the problem. am trying to cancel the memership and they keep playing games. staff member are always in a bad mood, or they dont like to help. They will tell some story to make things up. Very very bad attitude all the time

Negative experience: For some in this centre staff member are always in a bad mood, or they dont like to help. They will tell some story to make things up. Very very bad attitude all the time god knows why or may be i am asian thsts why. There is no bare minimum service you can expect from them. This is not a free service you are getting from them, you are paying for it sp atleast do the minimum.

Positive experience: Decent gym, swimming pool and classes, but they never answer the phone when you ring whenever there's a problem. Just rings and then hangs up.

Fantastic experience: Nice staff

Fantastic experience: A great hub for activities

Negative experience: Unfortunately I have to take to here to highlight how utterly disgusting I find the mens changing area on a regular basis. I have brought this to the attention of management but they have not addressed the issue. This is all the more important and actually should be without compromise in times of Covid. I would have thought it would be a priority to look after existing members, especially when they begged for our money and membership when the centre was closed. Not good enough.

Fantastic experience: Diane is the teacher for my daughter's swimming lessons. I'm so happy with her. My daughter absolutely it. However, the changing rooms are not very clean, neither are the toilets.

Fantastic experience: Nice staff and instructors, easy to talk to and very supportive, it feels like family

Positive experience: I like swimming here as it's conveniently close to home and I can almost always get a space. At times the lanes are very narrow, and there is barely space to pass each other, but it's good to see so many kids are into swimming lessons and training. The sauna is too hot in my opinion. My skin feels like it's being burnt and I can't stay in there for long. Why is it about 80+ degrees? I've been in many saunas in different countries and it's not that hot anywhere else.

Fantastic experience: We started using this place for swimming lessons for my son. At the moment I am happy with everything. Both reception team and other staff members are very polite and helpful. The swimming pool is big and clean. The water temperature is fine both in big pool and the small pool. I really like that both pools are not overcrowded and there is always plenty of space. Also the splash zone for babies and toddlers is really nice with plenty of toys and it looks inviting with all the pictures and decorations. Pricing for swimming is adequate, similar to other places. Things that could be improved: The fast, medium and slow lanes to add for public swimming as at the moment everything is open spaced and people are swimming everywhere.

Fantastic experience: Odkryłem sałnę

Negative experience: Absolutely horrendous. Wouldn’t be returning even if you paid me. Not only does it take a good 6 calls to get through to reception, the pool is not adequate for babies. Pools for babies should be between 30-32 degrees, and that was no where near. Lifeguards have different answers to management. Manager is arrogant to say the least. Lifeguard assured us it was 30, management say it was 28 but they can decide the temperature? What? If you’re advertising a baby pool, maybe make it adequate for a baby to swim in? Our stay didn’t last longer than 15 minutes, to be met with lockers that take your 50p’s and don’t lock, to freezing changing rooms that could do with an update. Please do not bother to take your children especially young ones somewhere that has no care for your well-being, just your money.

Negative experience: Considering the price of membership, the standards in these facilities are not good enough. The changing rooms only have 2 good showers, the bins are often brimming, the toilets not in a suitable state, one of the two sun loungers in the sauna/ steam room area broken, the water machine in the same sauna/ steam room is broken (which is dangerous considering you need to hydrate in those conditions). The positives are that the pool and gym facilities are adequate. Maybe not the cleanest gym with cob webs and dead bugs accumulating in certain areas. But nothing that will stop you from having a good training session. I hope the staff at this centre make an effort to sort these issues out.

Fantastic experience: Excellent place to keep fit

Fantastic experience: It was good

Positive experience: Can only book a child swimming over the phone or in person (not on he app where we are told to book everything else) the swimming changing rooms could be cleaner

Fantastic experience: Well organised with all the social distancing and cleanliness taken into account. Also booking system allowing for a non crowded environment.

Positive experience: They never answer the phone . Disabled so I need to speak to someone !! Cant just Turn UP !! but a very good service

Negative experience: Gym is good apart from that appalling,pool area is filthy,steam /sauna area filthy,it must be a Blackshots thing because the Impulse site is immaculate and well run .Word of advice ,don't bother complaining,it's a complete waste of time,as the management couldn't care less . Hygiene and customer service are definitely dirty words to these people.All that matters is they get your money and that's it .After that they couldn't give a toss.From what I've been hearing the place is getting worse and worse

Fantastic experience: Great place nice big car park and good facilities.

Positive experience: It's ok

Positive experience: Decent little gym, it could have more equipment though!

Fantastic experience: Great gym, with swimming pool, classes, sauna, steam room, and refurbished locker rooms. Recommend getting a family membership or joining with a friend as its a big cost saving. Also kids get half price swimming lessons on the membership so its worth it just for that cost wise.

Negative experience: DFC - the membership collecting agents - are going to charge £10 per month to freeze membership, and if you cancel they charge a months notice fine. A complete rip off. Impulse saying something completely different but they are obviously not singing from the same hymn sheet 1'm getting pushing from one to the other neither resolving the problem. Membership now cancelled.

Positive experience: First look is good...have not used the service yet...

Fantastic experience: Este f frumos liniște și aer curat in plus se găsește orice

Fantastic experience: Enjoyed every minute of aqua session . . So glad to be back, happy with the arrangements put in place...

Positive experience: Good swimming pools, but I think it should be a bit cleaner

Fantastic experience: Excellent

Fantastic experience: Newly renovated playground, great open space for friends and family to relax and enjoy

Fantastic experience: Great place to exercise

Fantastic experience: Lovely sunny evening & everyone behaving, nice ok for meet ups, picnic, play area, ample free parking

Fantastic experience: All you need from a gym .best thing I did was to move from Balentines gym. Very happy with service and amenities.

Positive experience: Saw a kid with his face down in the water blowing bubbles, i watched him for about 30 mins before i got up and left, What a weird way to enjoy a swimming pool.

Negative experience: Small heated pool closed 90% of the times I can go after school(3pm-6pm) and weekends (8am-1pm) due to lessons, leaving the main pool very over subscribed sometimes, they’ve recently introduced a 1hour wristband system which makes for terrible value for money. Lack of self investment means it’s quite run down, the staff are very good though.

Negative experience: I have only used the pool and cafe. Pool and changing area long overdue a facelift. Nothing seems particularly clean - not for want of trying, but because it's old. The rule against wearing outdoor shoes in the changing area is never enforced, so expect to get muddy feet, especially in winter. Cafe is OK, but coffee is dreadful and don't expect much in the way of healthy options. Carparking is a problem if there is an event on at the neighbouring Civic Hall. There isn't enough, and there's no stewarding. One positive - swimming lessons for kids are great - good teachers and good value.

Negative experience: Nu

Negative experience: Changing rooms and shower area are filthy and need to be updated. Very dated and unclean. No separate showers for men and women. Needs a re vamp

Negative experience: The teaching staff are horrible and they say no outdoor shoes but they all wear their shoes outdoors