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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Costa Coffee at the Leisure Centre

118 replies

girlfriend44 · 10/11/2023 16:21

The cafe at the local leisure Centre and Pool is a Costa and its very expensive.
AiBU to think it dosent really fit in that venue anyway.

Didn't we just used to have vending machines etc and shouldn't there be free water at a place where they are doing gym and sport and swimming?

Do you really want to sit down for an expensive coffee and cake when you've been in the gym?
All added expense etc, the kids drinks are really expensive too.

What do you have at your local pool/gym etc?
The cafe is the only waiting area too?

OP posts:
TeaKitten · 10/11/2023 16:24

My local one has Costa, and the one in my old area did too. Leisure centre cafes have always been expensive so atleast it’s got half decent coffee when it’s costa.

Afteropening · 10/11/2023 16:24

Nuffield?

I loved it. Got myself a costa during swimming lessons. Bliss.

then toasties for the children post swimming

Afteropening · 10/11/2023 16:25

And of course there’s free water

you just ask at the counter

SgtJuneAckland · 10/11/2023 16:26

There's a cafe at our local pool/leisure centre it is not branded but it's not cheap. I go to an aqua pilates class that's a real mix of ages and after there's always a rush in the cafe for the huge slices of cake, so there's clearly demand.
What are you there waiting for? Surely you either sit in the poolside seating/bleachers or wait in the car if you don't want to sit in the cafe

CyberCritical · 10/11/2023 16:27

I only use the leisure centre cafe when sat waiting for DD to do her swimming lesson.

I wish they had Costa, £2.50 for the very average coffee machine coffee they serve is a bit pricey.

PuttingDownRoots · 10/11/2023 16:27

Its not compulsory to use the cafe.

Kalodi · 10/11/2023 16:27

I enjoy grabbing a coffee postworkout/swim to drink on the journey to work. Usually its in a flask, coffee made at home, but sometimes I will treat myself to a coffee from the cafe along with a cinnamon bun.

Other times, my kids have been at birthday parties at various leisure centres and I do enjoy a coffee and cake whilst I wait.

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 10/11/2023 16:29

Our leisure centre has a branch of a lovely local independent cafe. It isn't cheap, but it's very popular.

I agree that there should be free access to water (are you sure there isn't?) but can't imagine why anyone would choose nasty vending machines over a proper cafe. If cost is the issue, surely just take your own drinks and snacks with you?

Spiderysummer · 10/11/2023 16:29

All I would say, is be grateful you have a leisure centre. Mine closed in 2021 and so has the one in the next town. If allowing a Costa cafe brings money in and allows it to continue operating, that is a win!
Currently my granddaughter no longer can have lessons, none of the local schools do swimming anymore as the council who closed the pool, felt a 2 hour bus journey there and back would be adequate. The schools can't manage it.
A few years ago I would have agreed with you but I guess councils are trying alternative sources of income (assuming Costa are paying them).

GalileoHumpkins · 10/11/2023 16:30

Didn't we just used to have vending machines etc

Yes, I used to walk uphill both ways to the leisure centre then spend my annual 10p pocket money on a cup of soup that tasted like arse.
Ah, the good old days.

coldcallerbaiter · 10/11/2023 16:32

You do not have to go there. I would use it. I agree there should be a water cooler.

Original poster
girlfriend44 · 10/11/2023 16:33

Agree but they have a sign saying you shouldn't sir down if your not using the cafe.
Where do ppl sit then who don't want to buy coffees etc?

OP posts:
GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 10/11/2023 16:35

Costa absolutely do free water, they're part of the refill scheme.

Are you allowed to sit in the waiting area without buying something OP - like if you're waiting for kids swimming lessons? If not, I wouldn't be happy about that, but people want to be able to buy food and drinks at leisure centres.

Enough of them are in trouble financially that I couldn't begrudge them the sales from a cafe or the lease on a franchise, just because it's not healt food. It might be making the difference between the place closing down or not. We've lost so many leisure centres locally because they can't afford to stay open.

Costa Coffee at the Leisure Centre
MonkeyPuddle · 10/11/2023 16:35

Our council leisure centre has its own cafe, run by council staff. The prices are extortionate. £4.20 for a latte. Just a regular latte. From a machine. Not a proper made latte, just a push button machine. Gobsmacked.

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 10/11/2023 16:37

In that case, then you should speak to the leisure centre (not Costa) about having somewhere to sit that is not part of the cafe. But don't tie it to not being healthy food, because that will just make them ignore you.

onlyoneoftheregimentinstep · 10/11/2023 16:38

Our local leisure centre is about to get a Costa and I'm ecstatic! At the moment they have a very mediocre 'press- button' machine and even that isn't cheap.

sparklefresh · 10/11/2023 16:38

It's not compulsory. If you don't want a coffee don't have one.

Afteropening · 10/11/2023 16:38

girlfriend44 · 10/11/2023 16:33

Agree but they have a sign saying you shouldn't sir down if your not using the cafe.
Where do ppl sit then who don't want to buy coffees etc?

Well you want there to be vending machines instead. Doubt they’d be seats for those purchasing from vending machines!

Afteropening · 10/11/2023 16:39

girlfriend44 · 10/11/2023 16:33

Agree but they have a sign saying you shouldn't sir down if your not using the cafe.
Where do ppl sit then who don't want to buy coffees etc?

What do you want to do at the cafe if not buying a coffee or similar?

Ratfinkstinkypink · 10/11/2023 16:40

Many, many, many moons ago (late 80s) when I was duty manager at our local swimming pool/gym we had a cafe and a vending machine that dispensed hot, freshly cooked chips so I don't think having a Costa is that outrageous.

Youcancallmeirrelevant · 10/11/2023 16:41

Costa do free tap water, just ask. We have a costa and its exactly what i want after gym, or taking the kids swimming etc

teenysaladandsniffofarose · 10/11/2023 16:41

TeaKitten · 10/11/2023 16:24

My local one has Costa, and the one in my old area did too. Leisure centre cafes have always been expensive so atleast it’s got half decent coffee when it’s costa.

Costa half decent?! For me costa has to be the most vile coffee😂

dottypotter · 10/11/2023 16:42

Rip off 3 pounds for a small bit of cake and 1.80 for a small bottle of water.

Why rip off people who are going swimming etc and trying to keep fit?

margotrose · 10/11/2023 16:43

girlfriend44 · 10/11/2023 16:33

Agree but they have a sign saying you shouldn't sir down if your not using the cafe.
Where do ppl sit then who don't want to buy coffees etc?

But if there were vending machines there wouldn't be anywhere to sit either.

It's pretty normal to have to buy something in a cafe in order to sit there.

Afteropening · 10/11/2023 16:43

Ratfinkstinkypink · 10/11/2023 16:40

Many, many, many moons ago (late 80s) when I was duty manager at our local swimming pool/gym we had a cafe and a vending machine that dispensed hot, freshly cooked chips so I don't think having a Costa is that outrageous.

Freshly cooked from a vending machine

oh come on 😂

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