Robinson Pools & Fitness Bedford

Reviews

1. laurentiu dediu ★☆☆☆☆

   ❗ Bad Review – Robinson Pool & Fitness Bedford My 10-year-old daughter has had a swimming membership at Robinson Pool & Fitness Bedford for 2 years, but in the last year we have become extremely disappointed with the management and the conditions of the centre. First of all, they do not have enough staff for all the children. Many times, the kids are left alone in the pool without proper supervision, and time goes by without them learning anything. It is frustrating to pay for a membership and see no progress because of poor organisation. The changing rooms where the children get dressed are in terrible condition: dirty, with food leftovers, hair all over the place, and dirty floors. Nobody seems to clean them properly, even though a children’s swimming facility should be hygienic and safe. The area where the children take a shower after swimming is a disaster as well: dirty, messy, and the drain is always blocked, so the kids end up standing in dirty water. This is unacceptable for a centre that claims to maintain standards. On top of that, they never have swimming caps available for the kids. Every time I ask at reception, I get the same answer: “We are waiting for stock, we are waiting for stock.” The same excuse for months. After everything we’ve experienced over the past year, I do not recommend this swimming pool.

   almost 7 months ago
2. Olga Romaios ★★★★★

   Junior gym and kids swimming lessons are fantastic. All the instructors, trainers, life guards, reception staff etc are so lovely, caring and efficient. We’ve had nothing but positive experiences every time we have attended Robinson Pool and gym, and are really impressed. The pool timetable is great and offers lots of flexibility for parents to swim whilst kids enjoy aqua play or the gym. The junior gym is a fab idea and much needed in Bedford! Very good value for money. Please add on Saturday sessions when you can! I have wanted to leave a review for Robinson Pool facilities for a while now but at the same time have wanted to keep it a secret so it doesn’t get too busy!

   almost 7 months ago
3. Skinbeater Sam ★★★★★

   So yes, it is an old pool, but the pros massively outweigh the cons and there are some quite unreasonable reviews here. Pros:- 33 metre pool, Lovely staff, Lovely community vibe, Wide lanes, More flexible swimming times, Properly hot showers, Big changing cubicles (useful if you're 6ft3 like me) Decent pool temperature so you can really go for it when you swim. Cons:- It is old so there are rust marks that have built up over the decades, giving it an untidy/grubby look, although it is as clean as any other pool. Unfair and generally negative reviews about teeny things by unsympathetic people. The negative reviews about this pool stopped me trying it for 3 years and the only reason I went was because the Kempston one was closed for a period of time. It is in need of a refurbishment as it is an old pool, but it isn't any dirtier than any other pool I've been to. The one in Barnet North London is pretty much a brand new centre, and I've seen that one in significantly worse states than Robinsons due to customers being gross and disrespectful. So, if you want to go swimming in a nice, well maintained, historical pool with a great community vibe, nice respectful people, spacious lanes, is open when you want, and you can understand that it has battle scars from years of service, then this is the pool for you.

   almost 8 months ago

1. Mark Day ★★★★☆

   Been a member for around 8 months now. The staff are always friendly and helpful, the gym is quiet, and well equipped, the lane sessions are great, really wide lanes, easy to pass, or in my case be passed by faster swimmers. No this isn't a luxury gym, but you aren't paying luxury prices. I will undoubtedly come across things that aren't perfect over the years, but for an affordable, well run centre, with a good coffee when you're finished, you can't ask much more in my opinion. Would recommend it hands down. Scrap that, please don't join, or it will become busy and I'll have to eat my words!

   almost 8 months ago
2. Kieran Sandhu ★★☆☆☆

   Unfortunately I find that very often, coming to Robinson pool and gym isn’t an experience that’s conducive to relaxation. Of course it’s crucial that children have swimming lessons but very often, the pool and changing facilities are overflowing with parents and their children. Some of whom are, to put it bluntly, feral. Today, I went to the men’s changing room to shower and found faeces in one of the cubicles. Literally all over the floor area. This was soon after a whole load of kids got out of the pool. Vile. This isn’t the first time I’ve witnessed mess left by children at Robinson pool & fitness, but this was beyond anything I’ve encountered, anywhere!! Kudos to the young guys and girls who do the hard work by constantly cleaning this mess. They deserve a pay rise. But I feel that the hygiene standards are low and if it continues, I’ll definitely leave. Of course, my leaving won’t make any difference but I would absolutely prefer to pay more and know that I won’t be at risk of slipping on some dirty brat’s turd. I’m posting this because I feel strongly that this kind of customer experience should not be acceptable. Perhaps a solution would be that children are only allowed to use the communal showers and not the private cubicles. Or at least that they are being properly supervised by responsible adults. Not doing anything is just unfair, not only to other paying members. But to the staff who have to clean up after other people’s children.

   almost 9 months ago
3. Kelly Wornast ★★★★★

   while waiting for our time slot in the pool with 3 under 5 year olds which can be stressful we went to the cafe where there was a lovely play area for the children and the staff were friendly and chatty with us and the children and took out order the coffee and cakes were amazing! Made us all feel relaxed before our swim in the baby pool would definitely be going again it was a nice over all experience

   almost 3 years ago

1. G F ★★★★★

   Great cafe and very friendly staff. Couldn’t get enough of the homemade cakes and the coffee was great too Also has a little playarea for the little ones. Will be my regular for sure

   almost 3 years ago
2. James Rees ★☆☆☆☆

   Just a joke all round. We started by booking a space in the small pool with our 4 month old and when we got there the receptionist 'couldn't tell' us if the cafe has change to swap for a locker. We had a £2 coin and needed £1 coin. Turns out she could tell us but didn't because she got told off by the cafe for saying they do have cash facilties. When we got to the small pool there was very able swimmers of at least 7 years of age in there. To top this off, there were dads jumping in the small pool as well. The life guard looked uninterested and didn't bat an eye lid at this. The colour of the pool was a brown dirt shade. The tiles clearly haven't been cleaned for a while. You'd have thought they'd clean them? I could also see over at the main pool there were people pushing others into the pool which was ignored by life guards. People were running poolside unchallenged also. This pool is just waiting for an accident to happen. Very disappointed and shocked by the running of this. Better off going to Kempston Pool.

   almost 3 years ago
3. Olivia Crowshaw ★★☆☆☆

   Average gym, has all the equipment you need and 3.5/5 cleanliness but does feel like it needs a good scrub. HOWEVER nobody, ever ever ever picks up the phone (unless they want to sell you a membership!!) I’ve rang on 6 different occasions and every time it rings. Even tried when I was in the car and my partner was there in person and they literally ignored it.

   almost 3 years ago

1. Pistachio A ★☆☆☆☆

   The manager and staff are completely uneducated on cultures & religions outside their own. The manager sent a staff member to inform me that my own swimmingly costume was simply not allowed as it covers my arms & legs. I was asked if I wore the costume outside and despite informing the staff member that I of course do not as it is swimwear, I was asked to vacate the pool. This was absolutely humiliating and is such a shame as it's the closest swimming pool to me. I suggest you find a substitute if you own arm & leg covering swimming costumes until the pool manager releases a statement apologising and educating himself and his staff.

   almost 3 years ago

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