Skye loved her first lesson, Fred her swimming teacher was really nice and made her feel safe and confident in the water. She started the lesson with a woggle and 3 armbands and finished with just 3 a... See more
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Location
Switch locationYew Tree Avenue, M19 3PH Manchester, GB
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See what reviewers are saying
The staff are very good to guide you in any information you want to have. Nice place for different types of activity. My daughter was very scared of the water but the teacher helped her gain confiden... See more
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This program isn’t suitable for children who are new to swimming. The instructors treat all students as if they’re at the same skill level, even on their first day in the water. A more tailored approa... See more
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My instructor (Mollie) was helpful, kind and able to support and stretch each one of us so each pupil there got the best out of the lesson. The staff at reception were helpful, friendly and smiley, m... See more
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Company details
Written by the company
Welcome to Better! We’re a charitable social enterprise, committed to the health and wellbeing of everyone in our community. From gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools to lessons and courses for both adults and juniors - plus libraries and children's centres - we've got it all. So whether you’d like to try something new, keep the kids entertained or have a dip in the pool, discover our inclusive range of activities, suitable for all ages and abilities at your local Better centre today.
Contact info
Yew Tree Avenue, M19 3PH, Manchester, United Kingdom
3.3
Average
61 reviews
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I joined my 13 year old to gym and…
I joined my 13 year old to gym and swim, started on the 14th September. It baffles me that he cannot come to the gym till and induction is done, which is not the problem. The problem is that there is no one available to do induction with my son for a week or 2. You happily take my money but now I have to wait and waste 2 weeks before my son can come to gym? I expect a reimbursement for the time/days my son waits to start gym. I would have given 0 starts but that was not an option 😡
September 14, 2025
Reply from Better - Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre
Hi Ayaan,
Thanks for your review.
Due to health and safety, all junior members must complete an induction before they are permitted to use the gym.
This is for their safety and the safety of others and without this they are unable to take part in junior gym sessions.
All junior memberships include swimming, which does not require an induction, so if no induction sessions are available, they can utilise the swimming part of their membership, therefore no refund would be due.
We have emailed the centre on your behalf to see if they can accomodate an induction any sooner.
Alternatively, as the membership provides area-wide access, you can go to a different centre in your area and complete the induction there.
Warm Regards
Hazal
Got a £60 pounds parking charge their…
Got a £60 pounds parking charge their signage state 3 hours free parking but you have to register at reception on the tablet for this. Which no one in the library or the leisure staff tell you. I will not be doing any more work at this site for Manchester city libraries
again I have reply to your request check trustpilot
Never got a Reply from Better
August 7, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre
Hi Kian
Thank you for your review.
Please respond to the Contact request sent to you through Trustpilot so we can assist.
Kind Regards
Amir
Scam system for laundry money
Place of fitness where you will get a 100£ fine to park your car just for checking out place for 25 min. Total scam, where Arcadia is also involved. Instead of posting sign "Arcadia members only" they post " Members only" , but "Arcadia" is a BRANCH of " Better DLL", even though you're a member of "Better DLL" you'll get a ticket. Sorry, really sorry for you guys...And by the way don't contact "Arcadia" management - they are useless. And also... why 100??? with average 35£ in Manchester area they could charge 10000£ per 10 min. Why not, nobody control scammers.
August 3, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre
Hi Vlad,
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience — we’re genuinely sorry to hear about your frustration.
We understand how upsetting it can be to receive a parking fine, especially when you're simply trying to explore a new fitness location. The parking at Arcadia is indeed managed by a third-party company with clearly defined rules, including the requirement that the car park is for Arcadia members only. However, we take your feedback seriously and appreciate you highlighting where signage or communication may be unclear or misleading.
We’ll be reviewing the current signage to see how we can better communicate parking terms and any differences between Arcadia and other Better centres to avoid future confusion.
While we do not directly control the enforcement or fines issued, the centre will be more than happy to help you escalate the issue to the parking provider if you believe the fine was wrongly issued.
Kind regards,
Charmaine
Please feel free to contact our team directly at [insert contact info], and we’ll do our best to support you.
Kind regards,
This program isn’t suitable for…
This program isn’t suitable for children who are new to swimming. The instructors treat all students as if they’re at the same skill level, even on their first day in the water. A more tailored approach is needed you can’t teach every child the same way. Spending a few months working with your child in the pool yourself will likely help them progress much faster, after which swimming classes would be far more effective.
August 15, 2025
Reply from Better - Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre
Hello Nasir Ali Khan
Thank you for your Feedback
We appreciate you providing us with this valuable feedback as this helps us improve.
We apologise that you have not had a positive experience with us and hope we can get better.
We have forwarded your comments to the centre and have asked that they investigate the issues you have raised.
Kind regards
Aaiasa
Aggressive Parking Fines
The leisure centre has begun to get negative feedback as a result of the aggressive parking company the council are using.Ive had 2 tickets issueed. I was not told of the new process of signing in my car and as a result parked once without following the rules. Both times was swimming. The company who issue fines are non contactable via phone. Asked for support in the leisure centre but they weren't able to do anything. Staff said they helped people initially when the car park changed. I have signed my car in and still recieved fines! Best advice is sadly go elsewhere. I could have paid for a gym membership with the amount of fines I've had. The council are actively discouraging people to get healthy!
July 31, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre
Hi Jane,
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We’re really sorry to hear about the frustration you’ve had with the parking situation. We understand how upsetting unexpected fines can be, especially when you’re just trying to enjoy your time at the leisure centre.
The new parking process was introduced by the centre to manage the car park effectively, but we appreciate that communication about the changes might not have been clear enough. While the leisure centre staff do their best to assist, the enforcement and fines are managed by the parking company contracted by the council, which unfortunately limits what we can do directly.
We’ve passed your feedback on to the centre to highlight the difficulties customers are facing, and we hope they will consider improving communication and support. Your health and enjoyment are important to us, and we’d love to see you continue to use the centre without these concerns.
If you’d like, please reach out to us directly, and we’ll do our best to support you in navigating this issue.
Thank you again for your honest feedback.
Kind regards,
Charmaine
Disrespectful and arrogant behavior of the staff
"I recently visited the Better Gym Arcadia Library Gym with my 12-year-old son, who is recently joined the gym and a registered member. As a supportive parent, I accompanied him to encourage and motivate him, as he's shy and hesitant in new environments. However, I was shocked and disheartened when one of the staff members, Scott, refused to allow me to enter the gym with him.
Despite my polite request to simply wait outside the gym to provide moral support, Scott responded rudely and arrogantly. His behavior was unacceptable, and I felt disrespected as a parent. What's even more concerning is that his behavior seemed to be tinged with racism, which is absolutely unacceptable in any setting.
Gyms, libraries, and other providers of healthy activities play a vital role in building a strong, healthy, and inclusive society. It's essential that these spaces are welcoming and supportive for everyone, especially children. Unfortunately, my experience at Arcadia Library Gym fell far short of these expectations.
As a result of this experience, I have decided to cancel all our memberships. I would advise others to exercise caution when considering membership at this gym. The staff's behavior, particularly Scott's, was unprofessional and discouraging. I hope that the management will take steps to address this issue, provide better customer service, and ensure that all members feel welcome and supported.
July 26, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre
Hi Syed,
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We are genuinely sorry to hear about your recent visit to Better Gym Arcadia Library Gym and the concerns you raised.
Firstly, we’d like to apologise for the distress and disappointment you and your son experienced. We understand how important it is for young members—especially those new to the gym environment—to feel safe, welcomed, and supported. Your desire to accompany your son and offer moral support is completely understandable and commendable.
We take your feedback about the interaction with our staff member, Scott, very seriously. Our aim is always to treat every member and visitor with respect, dignity, and courtesy. We would like to review the incident internally to understand what happened and to ensure that appropriate steps are taken.
Allegations of discriminatory behavior are deeply concerning and go against everything we stand for. Better Gym is committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment for all, and we do not tolerate any form of racism or discrimination. If you’re willing, we would greatly appreciate the opportunity to speak with you directly so we can fully understand your concerns and investigate thoroughly.
We’re genuinely sorry that your experience fell short of the welcoming environment we strive to provide. Please know that your feedback is not being taken lightly, and we are committed to making necessary improvements.
If you would be open to a conversation, please contact us at customerservices@gll.org and put this for the attention of Charmaine. We'd truly appreciate the opportunity to make things right.
Warm regards,
Charmaine
Gym is small stream room small swimming…
Gym is small stream room small swimming pool
Small
July 16, 2025
Reply from Better - Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre
Good Evening Shoaib,
Thank you for your feedback.
We appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts. We’re sorry to hear that you found our gym, steam room, and swimming pool smaller than expected. We continuously strive to improve our facilities and your input helps us with that. We hope to welcome you back and provide an even better experience in the future!
Kind regards,
Charmaine
Good teachers, just too many
We just found we continually had new swimming teachers, not good continuity especially for a child with SEN
April 22, 2025
Reply from Better - Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre
Hi AK,
Thank you for your feedback.
We understand how important consistency is, especially for children with special educational needs, and we sincerely apologise for any disruption caused by the changes in swimming instructors. We strive to provide stable, supportive environments for all our learners, and your comments will help us improve this aspect of our service. If you have any further concerns or suggestions, we would love to hear from you to ensure a better experience moving forward.
Warm regards,
Charmaine
Clean well equipped and inclusive
Fantastic gym, great pool, clean changing rooms and friendly staff. Best gym I've been to. I'm just an average Joe. Great gym for everyone and the classes are amazing
May 6, 2025
Reply from Better - Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre
Hi Munnu,
Thank you so much for your kind words!
We are delighted to hear you're enjoying the gym, pool, and classes at the Arcadia Leisure Centre — and it's great to know our staff and facilities are making a positive impact. Whether you're just getting started or a regular in the routine, we're here to support you every step of the way.
See you again soon!
Kind regards,
Charmaine
Good experience at the centre
Good experience at the centre. Clean facilities and friendly staff. Highly recommended
April 25, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre
Hi Sergi,
Thank you so much for your kind words!
We're thrilled to hear that you had a great experience at the Arcadia Leisure Centre. We take pride in maintaining clean facilities and providing excellent service, so it's wonderful to know that it made a positive impact on your visit. We truly appreciate your recommendation and look forward to welcoming you back soon!
Kind regards,
Charmaine
Vast majority of activities and…
Vast majority of activities and facilities in the same place . I have three children and all get to do different activities in the same place. That's a big one for a busy mum .
April 5, 2025
Reply from Better - Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre
Hello Sadia,
We truly appreciate your fantastic feedback!
It’s great to know that our facilities assist you in organising your kids' activities in one location. We recognise the importance of your time, and we’re delighted to contribute to making things a little simpler for you. We hope to see you and your children again soon!
Kind regards,
Charmaine
Reply from Better - Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre
Hi Bo,
Thank you for sharing your feedback.
We’re sorry to hear that you feel this way. We strive to offer fair prices based on the quality and value of our products/services. If there’s anything specific you’d like to discuss or if you have any concerns, we’d be happy to hear from you and see how we can improve your experience.
Kind regards,
Charmaine
Swim lesson time, price
Swim lesson time, Sun 815am really kids get up that early on Sun?
Fri Academy class removed, alot of parents off on Fri so best day for me to take kids swimming.
Prices are quite expensive.
My girl missed a lesson due to period.
March 18, 2025
Reply from Better - Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre
Hi Sui,
Thank you for sharing your feedback! We completely understand that early swim lesson times, especially on a Sunday, can be challenging for families. We're always looking for ways to improve our scheduling, and your input is valuable in this process.
Regarding the Friday Academy class, we appreciate your insight on that. We know Fridays can be a great option for many families, and we'll certainly take your feedback into account when reviewing our class offerings.
As for pricing, we strive to offer a high-quality experience, and we understand that cost is an important consideration. We do our best to keep our programs affordable while maintaining the best facilities and instructors.
Lastly, we hope your daughter is feeling better! We always encourage families to reach out to us if a lesson is missed due to illness or any other reason – we're happy to discuss options to make sure your child doesn't miss out on their progress.
Thanks again for your thoughtful comments, and we hope to see you and your kids back soon!
Kind regards,
Charmaine
It was the first time I went to a samba…
It was the first time I went to a samba class, the instructor was very understanding with me and taught me the steps to follow.
March 11, 2025
Reply from Better - Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre
Hi Ioana,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience!
We are thrilled to hear that you had a positive first experience in our samba class at the Arcadia Leisure Centre. Our instructors aim to make everyone feel comfortable and guide them through the steps, so it's great to know that it worked for you. We hope to see you again soon and that you continue to enjoy your samba journey!
Warm regards,
Charmaine
Arcadia library parking is worse I have got a parking ticket.
My very first and recent experience was very bad, worse, and shocking in Arcadia.
After parking my car in Arcadia I went in for my daughter's swimming session ao
February 18, 2025
Reply from Better - Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre
Hi Allahrakhi,
Thank you for sharing your experience with us, and we're really sorry to hear that it didn't meet your expectations.
We understand how frustrating it can be when things don't go as planned, especially when you're looking forward to something as important as your daughter's swimming session.
Could you please provide more details about what specifically went wrong? We take all feedback seriously and want to make sure this issue is addressed appropriately. We're committed to improving and ensuring a better experience for all our guests.
Kind regards,
Charmaine
Great customer services
Great customer services, speedy response and quick resolution
January 20, 2025
Reply from Better - Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre
Good Afternoon Sarah-Lisa,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us.
We are delighted to hear that you are enjoying your membership at the Arcadia Leisure Centre. It brings us great joy to hear that our staff members have consistently provided you with helpful and friendly service during your visits.
We strive to create a welcoming atmosphere for all our members, and your feedback reinforces our commitment to providing excellent service.
Thank you once again for your thoughtful comments. We look forward to seeing you at the centre soon!
Best regards,
Charmaine
Importance of community activity /
It was very good day and I wish I could join it when I was a kid
January 21, 2025
Reply from Better - Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre
Hi Jamshed
Thank you for your review.
We are very happy to see you had a good day at at the Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre and we offer lots of adult classes for you to join if you wish!
We hope you continue to enjoy your experience with us and thank you for choosing Better.
Kind Regards
Amir
Great facilities but cleanliness an issue
The facilities at this gym are really good and I can always use the machines without waiting in the gym. The pool is also well looked after, clean, nice and warm. The staff are nice too.
Unfortunately the gym changing rooms are often not clean. Unswept floors, dirty surfaces and twice I've seen hair stuck to the shower wall. Owing to this I don't feel I can shower here.
December 15, 2024
Reply from Better - Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre
Hi Emma,
Thanks for your review of Arcadia.
We are happy that you are enjoying the facilities at the centre but disappointed to hear that you haven't found it to be as clean as it should be.
We have passed on your feedback to the centre so they can improve in the future.
Warm Regards
Hazal
Some staff members are good but some…
Some staff members are good but some staff members have very bad behaviour
November 25, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre
Hi Muhammad,
Thank you for your review.
We happy to hear that the staff at Arcadia are good with some exceptions and hopefully those who aren't as good as they should be will improve.
Warm Regards
Hazal
Very small help as a new learner
She was left alone with the equipment, whiteout any specific support as a new child with no swimming experience and knowledge at all.
She struggled many time to get herself on the surface of the water.
November 18, 2024
Reply from Better - Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre
Hi,
Thanks for your review.
We are disappointed to hear that your child did not enjoy her first session at Arcadia and hope that her next session is more successful.
We have forwarded your feedback to the centre so that they can investigate and improve where necessary.
Warm Regards
Hazal
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