Queensmead gym members angry over hours change

GYM members who have been banned from using the facilities in the week during the day time have been left mystified as to why.

Queensmead Sports Centre in Victoria Road, South Ruislip, has told its members they can no longer use the facilities before 4pm in the week from October 1.

Kim Rowe, deputy head at Queensmead School in Queens Walk, South Ruislip, said: "The sports centre is leased by the local authority from the school. The school now needs to use the sports centre during the day and the council have stopped people using it."

However, many members are not happy with the new opening hours and are confused as to why the gym is being closed when they have only ever seen pupils using the sports halls and not the gym.

Amar Padhiar, a senior sales executive at Sheffield Insulations in Crown Road, South Ruislip, has been using the gym four days a week during his lunch break for two and a half years.

He said: "They only sent us a letter a few weeks ago about it, which doesn't give you enough time to make other arrangements.

"I cancelled my membership last week and I have joined another gym, but I am going to have to go there after work. It has messed up the whole of my routine.

"Other guys that go in the morning are really annoyed because Queensmead was convenient for them to use before work.

"I only ever saw the school pupils use the sports hall from about 12.30pm onwards once or twice a week."

Another member, Gemma Hilliard, of South Harrow, said: "I think I will stop going because after work it is rammed and it will be even busier now. I can't get to Highgrove gym either because I don't drive so I would have to get two buses there.

"I've only ever seen the kids using the main hall and never the gym. It doesn't make any sense why they are closing the gym to members all day."

Sue Drummond, head of sport and leisure at Hillingdon Council, said: "All current users have been informed of these changes and been given upgraded membership, which will enable them to use the facilities at Highgrove in Ruislip at no extra charge until their membership is due for renewal."