Working and great gym equipment. Very friendly staff Lifts always working Works always willing to help out Variety of facilities Very nice concierge
Location
Switch locationPitfield Street, N1 5FT Hackney, GB
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Better is a nation-wide chain of health centres (eg. gym, swimming pool etc) that serves local communities in the respective areas. I rang up the Better Gym Hackney/East London helpline recent... See more
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I just wanted to leave a review to say how impressed I was with the service I received from Dan this evening. I was having trouble booking tennis courts, but he jumped in to help right away. In fact... See more
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I recently tried Winta’s Menopause for Women class and really enjoyed. At the moment, they all seem to be in the morning, which makes it really difficult for those of us who work during the day. More... 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.
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Pitfield Street, N1 5FT, Hackney, United Kingdom
3.6
Average
132 reviews
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Affordable price and great facilities
Affordable price, great facilities which cater for many different exercise regimes.
June 2, 2025
Reply from Better - Britannia Leisure Centre
Hi Alexandra,
Thank you so much for your kind words!
We’re thrilled to hear that you find the Britannia Leisure Centre affordable and well-equipped for a variety of exercise routines. We’re committed to providing a great experience for all our members and appreciate your support!
Warm regards,
Charmaine
Tennis court is great but the net on…
Tennis court is great but the net on the tennis courts are really not good, and ruined the game. They are too low and cannot be adjusted. Please fix !
May 13, 2025
Reply from Better - Britannia Leisure Centre
Hi Hugh,
Thank you for your feedback!
We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the tennis court overall. We apologise for the issue with the net height. We understand how important it is for the equipment to be in good condition. We’ll look into fixing or replacing the net to improve your experience.
Thanks again for bringing this to our attention!
Kind regards,
Charmaine
My daughter is enjoying her second…
My daughter is enjoying her second lesson so far, gymnastic coaches are really good. And very supportive.
May 5, 2025
Reply from Better - Britannia Leisure Centre
Hi Sarah,
I hope this message finds you well!
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your positive feedback with us. We're absolutely delighted to hear that your daughter is really enjoying her lessons at the Britannia Leisure Centre! It warms our hearts to know she is having such a great experience with our coaches.
Our team is dedicated to creating a supportive and nurturing environment for all our students, and it’s wonderful to see your daughter thriving. We believe that every child has the potential to grow and succeed, and your daughter’s progress is a true testament to her hard work and our coaching philosophy.
We genuinely look forward to watching her continue to develop her skills and confidence in gymnastics. If you have any further comments or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Warm regards,
Charmaine
The gym is often overcrowded
The gym is often overcrowded, and there’s a lack of clear instructions. Many users leave weights and equipment scattered around after use, especially on the machines, making the space disorganised and inconvenient for others.
May 6, 2025
Reply from Better - Britannia Leisure Centre
Hi Sandy,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.
We’re sorry to hear about your experience and understand how frustrating it can be when the gym feels overcrowded and equipment isn’t properly re-racked. We’re actively working on improving the overall gym environment, including clearer signage and reminders for all users to return equipment after use. Your feedback is valuable, and we’ll be sharing it with our team to help guide further improvements.
We appreciate your patience and hope to provide a better experience moving forward.
Kind regards,
Charmaine
They staff were very supportive and…
They staff were very supportive and explained what the Gym was all about
April 16, 2025
Reply from Better - Britannia Leisure Centre
Hi Carol,
I truly appreciate your thoughtful feedback! It warms our hearts to know that our dedicated staff at the Britannia Leisure Centre went above and beyond to assist you and clarify all your questions about the gym. We strive to create an encouraging and inspiring environment for everyone, and it's wonderful to hear that we left a positive impression on you. We're eagerly looking forward to welcoming you back soon and supporting you on your fitness journey!
Best regards,
Charmaine
Awful customer service ignoring customers despite their mistake!
I was referred to Better "Healthier Together" by my GP and I was charged £10 a month for a gym scheme that should have given me access to the gym and included the classes for free. Unfortunately for several months I was unable to book any class because they were all showing as £7 and the gym Better Leisure (GLL) had a system error and didn't fix the issue on their end. As a result this created a massive headache for me as a customer and I was NOT able to take advantage of the membership I was charged for by direct debit! I have asked for a refund of the months I was not given access to the classes but Better is not answering my emails. What an appalling service and lack of customer care! This scheme gave me stress and anxiety as a result when it was supposed to help with my health! Shame on the the Britannia Assistant Manager Abdul Mustapha who admitted there was a system error but then proceeds to ignore my requests for a refund. What a disappointing company practice!
May 2, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Britannia Leisure Centre
Hi TM,
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience, and I’m truly sorry to hear about the difficulties you've faced with the Healthwise Scheme. We completely understand how frustrating and disheartening this situation must have been, especially when the program was intended to support your wellbeing.
Your concerns regarding the class booking issues and lack of access due to a system error are valid, and it’s unacceptable that this was not resolved in a timely manner. We also regret the lack of communication you've experienced and the stress this has caused — this certainly does not reflect the level of service we aim to provide.
Please be assured that your feedback has been escalated to our senior management team for urgent review. We are currently investigating what went wrong and will be reaching out to you directly to resolve this matter once we pick up your email communication.
Once again, we sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and distress this has caused, and we appreciate your patience as we work to put this right.
Kind regards,
Charmaine
I love that you offer concessions
I love that you offer concessions. I am recently unemployed and dismayed by my options. I decided that instead of feeling depressed and helping myself to the fridge at home, I would focus on my fitness. The monthly £5 concession pay as you go was within my limited budget and is doing wonders for my confidence, self esteem, mental health and of course keeping fit. I started in the Women's only sessions until my confidence grew.
April 23, 2025
Reply from Better - Britannia Leisure Centre
Hi J,
Thanks for your review.
We are so happy to hear that with our concession Flex membership you have been able to return to your fitness journey! Keep up the great work!
Warm Regards
Hazal
I had a good time at the gym
I had a good time at the gym. It was my first time, and the lady at reception was very friendly, taking the time to walk me around. The gym was spotless, and the space itself was nice and bright. Also, a wide range of machines was available.
April 29, 2025
Reply from Better - Britannia Leisure Centre
Hi Michelle,
Thanks for your review.
We are delighted to hear how impressed you are with Britannia and look forward to you being a member with us - welcome!
Warm Regards
Hazal
Helpful staff at my local centre
Customer service phone line isn't based at my centre, which is sometimes a problem, but the in-person customer service is always really helpful. I'm disabled so I have to ask them to unlock the disabled loo for me quite often as they lock it overnight, but that's the only problem I've ever had in the last few years, and all the staff are very nice.
April 23, 2025
Reply from Better - Britannia Leisure Centre
Hi Denny,
Thanks for your review.
We are happy to hear that the customer service at Britannia is so great and that the staff are so nice!
Warm Regards
Hazal
The swimming class & teacher was…
The swimming class & teacher were lovely. The facilities are terrible really un- user friendly, very difficult to manage getting dressed having a shower, storing my clothes with a baby , terrible experience like running a gauntlet.
Changing rooms are mixed gender, I was gawked at by young men when I was in my costume. It’s obvious that whoever designed the changing was room was not female and was not a swimmer !
April 14, 2025
Reply from Better - Britannia Leisure Centre
Hi Nina,
We’re so pleased to hear that you’re enjoying the swimming lessons and finding the teachers lovely ,that’s always great to hear!
However, we’re sorry to learn that the facilities have let the overall experience down. We’ll be passing your feedback on to the Centre Team so they’re aware of your concerns about the changing area not being customer-friendly.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us.
Kind regards,
Sarah H
Today,Sunday the 13th of April at…
Today,Sunday the 13th of April at 14.35am at Brittania leisure center Hackney branch and the slow lane of the pool I was subject to an appalling behaviour by 2 male members.
The waters of the pool were shallow, 1,10met,despite this the 2 male members either were practising diving or staying stationary in the middle of the pool.
When I asked them politely not to do so,one of them told me and I quote"you are slow like a s***t"repeating
the phrase loudly many times!
The life guard ,although he heard the insults,refused point black to interfeard, so I asked to see the manager.
When the member prompted by him to apologise he refrefused to do so saying and I quote again"Why to apologise this is true ,she is slow like a s**t"!
I explained to the manager that I am doing physio as I have an injured spine and knee ,that's why I am slow and not wanting to disturb the dynamics of the pool Iam swimming in the slow lane.
Although I unknowledge the good intention of the manager he failed to either to direct the 2 male members outof the slow lane or direct them to the fast lane.
When the manager left the 2 male members continue to swim in a really fast pace in the slow lane,deliberately splashing water in my face!
It is unacceptable that Brittania leisure center tolerates such an antisocial behaviour !
I am so disappointed.
Iapologise for my long review!
April 13, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Britannia Leisure Centre
Dear Louiza,
We’re truly sorry to hear about your recent experience at Britannia Leisure Centre. As a team, we strive to ensure all our customers have a positive and enjoyable experience at our facilities, and we’re very saddened to hear that this was not the case for you.
Please be assured that we are reviewing this matter further and will be sharing your feedback with the Britannia Leisure Centre team. It’s important to us that situations like this are addressed and that steps are taken to improve how they are handled in the future.
We sincerely apologise for the experience you had and for any frustration caused. We’re sorry that our team did not take the right steps to resolve the issue at the time, and we are committed to learning from this.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
Kind Regards,
Sarah H
Swimbies
Swimbies - Dippers is really well organised and easy to follow. Our little girl loves it! Bath time now has a lot of splashing though.. :)
April 7, 2025
Reply from Better - Britannia Leisure Centre
Hi Jaimie,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful message!
We are absolutely thrilled to hear that your little girl is enjoying her swimming lessons at the Britannia Leisure Centre. It’s wonderful to know that the skills she's acquiring are not only benefiting her in the pool but also making bath time an exciting adventure filled with splashes and giggles. 😊 We truly value your feedback and are so pleased to be a part of your family's routine. It’s our mission to create a fun and enriching environment for all our young swimmers, and knowing that we’ve contributed to her joy means the world to us!
Kind regards,
Charmaine
Rip off prices and hidden costs for racket sports
Better is quite frankly a rip-off for anyone who wants to use their facilities to play any racquet sports. I booked the court for tennis ( a sport famously played by at least TWO people) for £12.95 an hour, so I naturally received quite a rude shock when I arrived and was told I had to pay £3 extra for my friend who was playing with me - talk about hidden costs. Looking at their menu their indoor tennis courts are a whopping £40++ an hour, and badminton courts £17-20 as well - I struggle to see how anyone should be paying £3 per PERSON on top of that - certainly does not bring to mind the words ‘charitable’ and ‘inclusive’ that better gym’s brand purportedly is.
March 30, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Britannia Leisure Centre
Hi Jiehui,
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We are sorry to hear that your recent experience with us was not as expected. We strive to maintain transparency with our pricing and are always looking for ways to improve our communication around any additional costs. We understand your concern about the extra charge, and we will take your comments into consideration as we review our pricing structure for racquet sports.
At Better, we aim to offer great value for our services, but we also understand that it’s important to ensure our guests feel that the experience matches their expectations. We appreciate your feedback and will work to ensure our pricing is clearer moving forward.
If you’d like to discuss this further or if you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back soon and offer you a more seamless experience.
Kind regards,
Charmaine
Because excellent customer service…
Because excellent customer service clean and easy access staff are great it’s convenient. Also my son he’s happy because of it’s a good experience he’s getting overall. I’m very happy and satisfied.
March 25, 2025
Reply from Better - Britannia Leisure Centre
Hi Jona,
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that both you and your son are having a great experience with us at the Britannia Leisure Centre. Providing excellent customer service and a positive, convenient experience is our top priority, and we're so glad to know it's making a difference. We look forward to continuing to serve you!
Kind regards,
Charmaine
Terrible service
From the moment I signed up for a membership for my son, I started having problems. My first class was canceled, and after his first class (which should have been his second), he returned and was told he wasn't registered, so they wouldn't let him do the activities, and we had to leave. The staff's service is terrible. I completely disagree with everything and demand a refund, since he only attended one class out of four. He only attended one, and we've only had problems. I no longer want their service and I want my money refunded.
March 15, 2025
Reply from Better - Britannia Leisure Centre
Hi Nadia,
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We're truly sorry to hear about the challenges you’ve experienced with your son's membership and the inconvenience this has caused you and your son. We strive to provide a smooth and positive experience for all of our members, and it seems we missed the mark in your case.
We apologise for the confusion regarding your son’s registration and for the cancellation of his class. We understand your frustration and would like to address your concerns. Please check your inbox as I have emailed you directly to try and assist you with this matter.
We value your feedback and will use it to improve our services. Thank you again for bringing this to our attention, and we hope to have the opportunity to make things right.
Sincerely,
Charmaine
Britannia Leisure Centre - now and then
I rejoined the Britannia Leisure Centre 2 weeks ago, after a 7 years hiatus. In the meantime, the whole facility has been rebuilt close to the original site. Compared to the previous version, the new centre is much bigger and has a ground floor café, seating area, buggy parking area, creche and 2 decent pools, plus racquet courts on the terrace level.
So, this is what can be improved:
1) the centre boasts 1 sauna and 1 steam room, both very small and often crowded, and they are located poolside, so can only be accessed from the changing rooms for the pool. There should be an access available dry-side and timed entrance not necessarily linked to the use of the pool.
2) there should be an obligation to use swim caps and take a shower before using the pools - enforced with some discreet checks
3) there should also be an obligation to sit on a small towel when in the sauna/steam rooms.
4) the ground floor seating area is often full of used cups and tables are dirty - visitors should be told to clean up after themselves and more checks performed regularly. Personally, I am coeliac and sitting at a table where someone has left cake crumbles could be dangerous.
On a positive note, I have attended a couple of yoga classes, and found them really good, and the new gym has a lot of great machinery and weights stations which make sessions really productive.
These are the reason for my 4 stars, but hope to come back with an improved rating in the near future.
March 17, 2025
Reply from Better - Britannia Leisure Centre
Hi Guilia,
Thank you for your detailed feedback and for sharing your thoughts after rejoining the Britannia Leisure Centre. We're thrilled to hear that you're enjoying the new gym and yoga classes, and that you find the upgraded facilities much better than before. We always appreciate constructive feedback as it helps us improve the experience for all members.
Regarding your suggestions:
1. Sauna and Steam Room Access – We understand your concerns about the limited access and overcrowding in the sauna and steam room. We will review the current setup and explore the possibility of providing access from the dry-side and perhaps introducing a timed entrance system to ensure comfort for all guests.
2. Swim Caps and Showers – We appreciate your suggestion for enforcing swim caps and shower requirements. We'll look into ways to encourage this practice more effectively to maintain cleanliness and hygiene standards.
3. Towels in Sauna/Steam Rooms – We completely agree with the importance of cleanliness and comfort in the sauna/steam rooms. Your suggestion to ensure members sit on towels is a great one, and we'll take it into consideration to help improve the experience for everyone.
4. Seating Area Cleanliness – We're sorry to hear about your experience with the cleanliness of the seating area. We'll increase our efforts to ensure that tables are regularly cleaned, and we'll remind visitors to help maintain a clean environment, especially given the sensitivity of your dietary needs.
We truly appreciate your thoughtful feedback and are grateful for your 4-star rating. We look forward to welcoming you back for an even better experience in the future.
Kind regards,
Charmaine
Reply from Better - Britannia Leisure Centre
Hi Marika,
Thank you so much for your kind words!
We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the completely renovated facility. It's always our goal to provide a clean and beautiful environment for our guests, and we're glad that it made your swimming experience even better. We hope to see you again soon, and we’re committed to maintaining the high standards you’ve mentioned! If you have any other feedback or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to let us know.
Thank you for your support!
Warm regards,
Charmaine
Reply from Better - Britannia Leisure Centre
Hi Nnenna,
Thank you for your invaluable feedback.
I’m sorry to hear that your experience at our centre was disappointing. We strive to maintain a calm and comfortable environment for all our guests, and I understand how noise can affect your visit. Your feedback is valuable, and we’ll take it into consideration as we work to improve the atmosphere.
We hope you’ll give us another chance in the future.
Kind regards,
Charmaine
First day at the centre,Girl on the desk very helpful
First day,Girl on the desk very helpful
March 3, 2025
Reply from Better - Britannia Leisure Centre
Hi Michael
Thank you for your review,
It is great to see you enjoyed your first day at the Britannia Leisure Centre and pleased to see the centre staff have been able to help with any enquiries you may have had!
We hope you continue to enjoy your time with us and thank you for choosing Better.
Kind Regards
Amir
Reply from Better - Britannia Leisure Centre
Hi Nicola,
Thank you for your feedback.
We’re sorry to hear that you’ve had difficulty navigating our website and that the classes have felt overcrowded. We understand how important it is to have a smooth experience and a comfortable learning environment. We’re currently working on improving our website to make it more user-friendly, and we’re also looking into ways to better manage class sizes to ensure everyone has the attention they need. Your feedback helps us get better, so we truly appreciate it.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any more suggestions!
Kind regards,
Charmaine
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