Customer walkouts at £50m leisure centre

Eclipse Leisure Centre in Knowle Green features rooftop football pitches and a spa

A new £50m leisure centre in Surrey has seen angry customers walk out of overheated classes as it faces air conditioning issues.

Eclipse Leisure Centre in Knowle Green, Staines, reopened on 15 October and now boasts rooftop football pitches, a spa, an eight-lane swimming pool, gym and LED-marked sports hall.

But the centre has been feeling the heat after customers took to its Facebook page to complain about faulty air conditioning and other problems.

The centre said it was aware of the issues with the air conditioning and thanked customers for their patience while they were fixed.

One woman said “people were walking out” of a fitness class because the lack of air conditioning was "terrible”.

Another said the leisure centre was "manic and unorganised" since reopening, with "people queuing out the main door completely blocking access".

'Teething problems'

However, Mike Burt, who attended the previous leisure centre for nearly 30 years, said he had been told the issues were soon to be resolved.

"They've had teething problems, but I suppose we're going to expect that with any new building,” he told BBC Radio Surrey.

"The main one has been the air conditioning. It hasn't worked from day one.”

Mr Burt said he used the gym in the mornings, but added that it was “too warm" and “gets very stuffy".

"Some people walked out of a class because it was just too warm," he added.

Eclipse Leisure Centre said: "We are aware of the air conditioning issue and the site team are currently working on fixing the air con for a more pleasant experience with us."