USERS of a leisure centre near Cirencester have voiced their anger at the facility’s decision to go cashless - even vowing never to return.
Cricklade Leisure Centre, located in Stones Lane in Cricklade, changed to a cashless payment system on Thursday, January 1 due to increased difficulty managing cash.
However, not everyone is happy with the move, with users taking to social media to express their frustration.
In a post online at the end of December, a spokesperson for the leisure centre - owned and run by the Cricklade & District Community Association charity - said: “Cricklade Leisure Centre is going cashless - starting January 2026.
“From Thursday, January 1, 2026, Cricklade Leisure Centre will move to a cashless payment system for all memberships, bookings and purchases.
“You will not be able to pay with cash, but we will still accept card payments (contactless or chip & PIN), online payments and direct debits.”
One commenter described the move as ‘absolutely disgusting’.
“Cash is legal tender,” they said.
“We have a choice how we pay, and this is being denied.
“I always pay for small amounts with cash, and I think you will find many people are turning back to using cash so they are able to manage their finances better at this time.”
“If capable children want to go for a swim in the holidays when the pool has public swimming, they can no longer use their pocket money to fund it,” another commenter said.
“Not all youngsters have card facility payment methods.”
“Defo won’t be coming here again then if you’re not taking cash anymore,” another commenter added.
In a post earlier in December, a leisure centre spokesperson said: “We know change can be inconvenient, and we want to reassure you [the move] is being done to make things safer and easier for everyone.
“Managing cash has become increasingly difficult.
“The local Post Office no longer accepts cash deposits, and there is no bank in Cricklade.
“Depositing cash requires staff to travel out of town and pay bank fees, which takes time away from supporting members at the centre.
“Like many businesses, we are reviewing the impact of this change carefully.
“Going cashless will help the centre remain safe, efficient and sustainable for all our members.”
A spokesperson for Cricklade Leisure Centre said: "Cash now represents only a small proportion of our overall income, with the vast majority of transactions taking place by card.
"Cash is primarily taken in our cafe/bar area and has steadily declined to only several hundred pounds per week.
"We have recently experienced difficulties depositing cash at our local Post Office, and our nearest bank branch is in Cirencester.
"The time, travel and parking required for staff to make regular cash deposits - even once a week - are no longer viable on a long-term basis.
"As a result, we have taken the decision to move away from accepting cash payments.
"We recognise this may affect a small number of customers and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause."
Share