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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think our councils concession gym membership is a con

28 replies

SecretsOfSunshine · 07/12/2023 17:16

Our council makes a big deal they offer concession memberships for carers/ disabled people/ job seekers etc.

However these memberships can only be used off peak (before 4pm weekdays or early on weekends).

They are the same price as the off-peak membership. So I can provide lots of documents to get this ‘discount’ and only be able to go off-peak, or I can just buy a standard off peak membership for the same price

Aibu to be considering a formal complaint. The council website is constantly advertising this, people are signing up and all happy at their discount… not realising it’s the same process either way. I’m personally invested as a career who is caring during the off peak hours!

OP posts:
Benibidibici · 07/12/2023 17:18

Yanbu. In your shoes I'd probably write to local mp and ask what the actual concession is given its the same price & hours as the off peak.

contactus · 07/12/2023 17:23

how much is the discount?

you risk them withdrawing any kind of offer if you complain. They aren’t obliged to offer a discount

contactus · 07/12/2023 17:24

wait so you’re saying… there is no discount whatsoever?

Are you sure? what gym is this?

Benibidibici · 07/12/2023 17:24

you risk them withdrawing any kind of offer if you complain. They aren’t obliged to offer a discount

Well its not really a risk is it. Op can just get the normal off peak

Original poster
SecretsOfSunshine · 07/12/2023 17:26

contactus · 07/12/2023 17:24

wait so you’re saying… there is no discount whatsoever?

Are you sure? what gym is this?

Exactly. The discount is £0

its advertised as £15 off full price. However it’s off peak and is the same price as off peak standard membership.

OP posts:
contactus · 07/12/2023 17:28

what gym?

are you sure no additional benefits?

Original poster
SecretsOfSunshine · 07/12/2023 17:36

contactus · 07/12/2023 17:28

what gym?

are you sure no additional benefits?

I am sure.

I won’t give the area as outing between reasons, but a social enterprise large chain

OP posts:
contactus · 07/12/2023 17:36

so not council run? nationwide?

Original poster
SecretsOfSunshine · 07/12/2023 17:38

Missing the point. But working in partnership and the council is the one, on their own social media, heavily advertising the deal targeting groups with better reach than the gym would without their endorsement

OP posts:
littleducks · 07/12/2023 17:40

If you are sure there isn't a hidden discount (no joining fee?) or extra benefits then surely it's raise advertising and if contract the council and point this out

Original poster
SecretsOfSunshine · 07/12/2023 17:43

I went into the gym and spoke to the membership team to clarify it after I explored the online info. They were bemused but confirmed I was correct in what I’d read

OP posts:
contactus · 07/12/2023 17:49

is it council or private? a private gym in town offers discounts to those on benefits

contactus · 07/12/2023 17:50

SecretsOfSunshine · 07/12/2023 17:38

Missing the point. But working in partnership and the council is the one, on their own social media, heavily advertising the deal targeting groups with better reach than the gym would without their endorsement

in that case - yes contact the council

contactus · 07/12/2023 17:51

i. our borough

you apply to the council for something calling a GoCard, which is then all your need to show eligibility for discounts if o. benefits

MrsJimmyPerez · 07/12/2023 17:51

YANBU. Similar issue here. I have an NHS referral for my local leisure centre. It would cost me £24pm. A general concession membership is £28 and a full price membership £32. It's a con and I do wonder how much the NHS are paying for this £4pm reduction in fees.

contactus · 07/12/2023 17:52

although before partnering with them… the council would have been somewhat negligent not to have done even the most basic due diligence on pricing before partnering with them

contactus · 07/12/2023 17:52

MrsJimmyPerez · 07/12/2023 17:51

YANBU. Similar issue here. I have an NHS referral for my local leisure centre. It would cost me £24pm. A general concession membership is £28 and a full price membership £32. It's a con and I do wonder how much the NHS are paying for this £4pm reduction in fees.

is the £24 for full or reduced membership?

MrsJimmyPerez · 07/12/2023 17:56

@contactus it's a full gym and swim membership but only of my local centre. With a concession membership and a full price membership you can use all their leisure centres in our area.

Neriah · 07/12/2023 17:57

If its like ours, it isn't the council offering anything. It's a local business saying that they will offer council staff x,y and z. The council won't be paying anything towards it.

I don't disagree with you based on what you say, but all that will happen is that it will be withdrawn. Councils don't have money to pay for the things when half of them are going bankrupt paying for what they must provide.

CormorantStrikesBack · 07/12/2023 18:12

Neriah · 07/12/2023 17:57

If its like ours, it isn't the council offering anything. It's a local business saying that they will offer council staff x,y and z. The council won't be paying anything towards it.

I don't disagree with you based on what you say, but all that will happen is that it will be withdrawn. Councils don't have money to pay for the things when half of them are going bankrupt paying for what they must provide.

Depends if it’s a council gym or not. Our city council operate two council run gyms They’re definitely in charge of the pricing.

Neriah · 07/12/2023 18:30

CormorantStrikesBack · 07/12/2023 18:12

Depends if it’s a council gym or not. Our city council operate two council run gyms They’re definitely in charge of the pricing.

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I doubt that would change the outcome though. Council provides discounts on staff gym membership whilst cutting children's services / support for disabled adults, etc etc... not a look any council can afford right now.

DaftyInTheMiddle · 07/12/2023 18:37

Neriah · 07/12/2023 18:30

I doubt that would change the outcome though. Council provides discounts on staff gym membership whilst cutting children's services / support for disabled adults, etc etc... not a look any council can afford right now.

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My parents council recently closed every single leisure facility in the borough. Schools cannot do swimming lessons anymore, loss off sports facilities like squash courts etc. It’s shocking but not unexpected, I’m not surprised they cannot offer better concessions.

Neriah · 07/12/2023 18:49

DaftyInTheMiddle · 07/12/2023 18:37

My parents council recently closed every single leisure facility in the borough. Schools cannot do swimming lessons anymore, loss off sports facilities like squash courts etc. It’s shocking but not unexpected, I’m not surprised they cannot offer better concessions.

Edited
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As a Council manager I'd be bloody furious if they did! Nobody wants to cut services, we think these facilities are just as important, but we have no other choices. Swimming pool or special needs education... These are not choices anyone should have to make and we do it all the time.

Original poster
SecretsOfSunshine · 07/12/2023 20:20

contactus · 07/12/2023 17:52

although before partnering with them… the council would have been somewhat negligent not to have done even the most basic due diligence on pricing before partnering with them

When I worked for the council they had corporate membership for staff. It was £15 less than the multi area membership …and the same price as normal borough membership. They have form. It was no real discount

OP posts:
Original poster
SecretsOfSunshine · 07/12/2023 20:22

DaftyInTheMiddle · 07/12/2023 18:37

My parents council recently closed every single leisure facility in the borough. Schools cannot do swimming lessons anymore, loss off sports facilities like squash courts etc. It’s shocking but not unexpected, I’m not surprised they cannot offer better concessions.

Edited
Show quote history

Not being able to offer concessions though is different to advertising glass concessions and just rebranded if they’re off peak membership as cater/ disabled etc. it’s their standard price for quiet times, dressed up as a discount you need to provide proof for

OP posts:
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