A leisure and fitness facility in Southend has now fallen into such a shocking state that many users say it’s barely fit for purpose — with multiple pieces of broken equipment, filthy changing areas, and even cold, “sea water-smelling” showers.
The Southend Leisure & Tennis Centre at Garon Park, currently operated by charity Fusion Lifestyle, has come under heavy fire from furious gym-goers. One damning review from a local resident described the centre as having “disgusting cleanliness, urine everywhere, practically-zero customer care and terrible equipment maintenance.”
Another local resident, Adam Measures, has been a long-term member of the gym for 14 years. He didn’t hold back:
“Up until a few years ago, it was a good gym. Around two or three years ago, they seemed to decide to no longer carry out any maintenance on the equipment and stopped adequate, basic cleaning. Currently, all the facilities are filthy, around 50% of the equipment is out of order, and it has been for at least 6 months. The entire place is in a very sorry state. I will be cancelling my membership once I find another gym.”
Among the litany of complaints from current users are:
- 7 out of 9 treadmills are broken and have been out of action for months
- At least half of the weight machines are unusable
- The steam room and jacuzzi have been out of order for over 3 months
- The children’s swimming pool has been closed for 2 months
- Showers are reported to be cold and smelling of sea water
- The changing areas and cubicles are dirty and reportedly smell of urine
One gym-goer put it bluntly: “The only thing that works perfectly is the exit!”
Stephen Pickford, another disgruntled member, said:
“When you’re paying £35 a month, you’d expect a wide selection of equipment that is well maintained. Unfortunately, Fusion’s Leisure Centre in Southend manages to fall bafflingly short of these expectations. With limited equipment — most of which is broken, including one piece since August 2024 — this gym is not only a waste of your money but also a potentially unsafe place to work out!”
Fusion Lifestyle, the operator of the centre, also runs Belfairs Swim Centre, Shoebury Leisure Centre, and Chase Sports & Fitness Centre on behalf of Southend-on-Sea City Council. The charity’s contract, however, will not be renewed due to mounting concerns over the deteriorating condition of its facilities.
In response to some of the criticism, a spokesperson from Fusion said:
“The teaching pool is closed due to the temperature being too low for little ones. Due to high usage of our gym kit, some of it is out of order and due for repairs as soon as possible from the relevant company.”
Despite this, many customers feel the issues have been left unresolved for far too long.
Councillor Matt Dent, Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Business, has issued a statement:
“I am deeply frustrated by the ongoing issues at Southend Leisure & Tennis Centre. Fusion Lifestyle manages these facilities on the council’s behalf, and their performance has not been good enough. The number of customer complaints speaks for itself.
“We have made it clear to Fusion that the current situation is unacceptable, and we expect urgent action. They have assured us they are working with their contractor to confirm a date for repairs, and we will hold them to that.
“We understand residents’ frustrations and want all our leisure facilities to meet the high standards they expect.
“Our leisure contract is currently going through a tender process, which will lead to much-needed improvements and new gym equipment.”
Southend-on-Sea City Council is now actively seeking a new operator as part of a competitive tender process. According to the Council, the city’s leisure centres are not just gyms — they’re “an integral part of our cultural offer,” aimed at promoting health, wellness, and community engagement.
In its tender brief, the Council said the incoming operator must work closely with local schools, clubs, and community groups, helping residents get active and stay healthy. They also want to ensure services are high quality, accessible, and affordable for all.
As the city looks to turn the page, long-suffering members will be hoping that change comes sooner rather than later — and that their next gym experience won’t come with the smell of stale urine and broken promises.