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Original poster

CCTV of swimming pool playing in cafe

192 replies

Imdunfer · 30/03/2026 07:50

Looking for advice on whether it would be rational to make a formal complaint about this.

The gym I use has just started playing the live CCTV feed of the swimming pool area into the cafe.

I'm very unhappy about being watched in my swimming costume by people I can't see watching me, but also there are children's swimming lessons going on in the pool as well and that feels like a safeguarding issue.

I've talked to the guy manning the desk and he brushed it off.

UABU - you are being unreasonable, there's nothing wrong with people you can't see being able to watch you and little children in wet swimming costumes.

UANBU - make a formal complaint

OP posts:
itsgettingweird · 30/03/2026 08:09

I guess though even if you can see who is watching you don’t know they are any safer than someone watching via the CCTV.

unfortunatly risk is everywhere and so are people without good intention.

You need to decide if this is a deal breaker for you and vote with your feet if it’s.

Original poster
Imdunfer · 30/03/2026 08:06

rwalker · 30/03/2026 08:05

if You don’t like it you don’t like it but it’s no different than a window
ether put up with it or move gym

my gym has big screen of the pool behind reception everyone queuing can see it’s not unusual

It is different from a window. With a window I can see who is watching me. I can't see who is looking at the TV.

OP posts:
Original poster
Imdunfer · 30/03/2026 08:06

Hankunamatata · 30/03/2026 08:04

So its for parents to watch swim lesson?

I don't know. It suddenly happened with no consultation. There are very few hours of swimming lessons in the week, the CCTV is full time.

OP posts:
rwalker · 30/03/2026 08:05

if You don’t like it you don’t like it but it’s no different than a window
ether put up with it or move gym

my gym has big screen of the pool behind reception everyone queuing can see it’s not unusual

Hankunamatata · 30/03/2026 08:04

So its for parents to watch swim lesson?

FasterMichelin · 30/03/2026 08:03

Totally unnecessary and I’d be very surprised if this would be seen favourably from a safeguarding perspective. Why do people sitting in the cafe need visual access of swimmers?

YANBU to complain and choose a different gym if they don’t listen.

Original poster
Imdunfer · 30/03/2026 08:02

Alltheusefulitems · 30/03/2026 08:00

What is the purpose of the CCTV footage? Is it so that parents can watch their children's swimming lessons from the cafe?

Can anyone enter the cafe off the street?

Depending on the answer to these questions and if it's just the pool area rather than the changing rooms or showering area I wouldn't be bothered by this.

The cafe is only accessible to gym members. There are plenty of guys in the gym that I don't want looking at me in a wet swimming costume without me being able to see them looking.

OP posts:
tnorfotkcab · 30/03/2026 08:01

I think you're over reacting.

Original poster
Imdunfer · 30/03/2026 08:01

UltraAlox5 · 30/03/2026 07:58

Is there seating poolside? I’m wondering if this is a compromise for parents who aren’t allowed to watch the lessons in person?

Show quote history

Parents can and do watch lessons in person, though there isn't anywhere nice for them to do that, admittedly, they just have to stand by the pool or sit on the surround of the jacuzzi (plenty of space for that).

I guess that's probably why they've done it.

OP posts:
Alltheusefulitems · 30/03/2026 08:00

What is the purpose of the CCTV footage? Is it so that parents can watch their children's swimming lessons from the cafe?

Can anyone enter the cafe off the street?

Depending on the answer to these questions and if it's just the pool area rather than the changing rooms or showering area I wouldn't be bothered by this.

UltraAlox5 · 30/03/2026 08:00

It does sound a bit grim…

Original poster
Imdunfer · 30/03/2026 07:59

UltraAlox5 · 30/03/2026 07:55

I’m torn…ours has a huge viewing area, so anyone could be watching. Does yours not have this viewing area? Is it a compromise as parents aren’t allowed to watch the swimming lessons poolside?

Edited

No, the cafe is a small dark room without a gallery onto the pool or into the gym. There's no serving counter, people buy drinks from reception and then go and sit out of sight.

OP posts:
UltraAlox5 · 30/03/2026 07:58

Imdunfer · 30/03/2026 07:57

For me this is about being watched by people I can't see watching me. The cafe is a small dark enclosed area, it doesn't open onto the pool.

Show quote history

Is there seating poolside? I’m wondering if this is a compromise for parents who aren’t allowed to watch the lessons in person?

Original poster
Imdunfer · 30/03/2026 07:57

UltraAlox5 · 30/03/2026 07:55

I’m torn…ours has a huge viewing area, so anyone could be watching. Does yours not have this viewing area? Is it a compromise as parents aren’t allowed to watch the swimming lessons poolside?

Edited

For me this is about being watched by people I can't see watching me. The cafe is a small dark enclosed area, it doesn't open onto the pool.

OP posts:
UltraAlox5 · 30/03/2026 07:57

UltraAlox5 · 30/03/2026 07:55

I’m torn…ours has a huge viewing area, so anyone could be watching. Does yours not have this viewing area? Is it a compromise as parents aren’t allowed to watch the swimming lessons poolside?

Edited

*Stadium style pool seating so people get their drink from the cafe and sit and watch.

UltraAlox5 · 30/03/2026 07:55

I’m torn…ours has a huge viewing area, so anyone could be watching. Does yours not have this viewing area? Is it a compromise as parents aren’t allowed to watch the swimming lessons poolside?

Meeeeeeeeep · 30/03/2026 07:54

I really couldn't get worked up about that. Nobody cares about you in your swimming costume and children out and about might occasionally be seen by a paedophile.
This is a non-issue.