A CITY councillor has branded the 'cashless' policy of the new leisure centre at Bar End as "unacceptable".

Cllr Sue Cook, the Independent member for Twyford and Colden Common, said: "I'm extremely concerned that we have a contractor known as Everyone Active that has a policy of not allowing the taking of cash. Arrangements should be made for it not to discriminate against people.

"There is no facility for taking cash. That is not right and not acceptable".

READ MORE HERE: Councillor disgusted by leisure centre conditions

"We do not live in a Cashless Society and many groups are not in a position to have card and even some just like to know exactly what they are spending...the city council need to remove this barrier."

Cllr Cook recently criticised the centre, which opened in May 2021, for its cleanliness.

Cabinet Member for Business and Culture Cllr Lucille Thompson responded: “Our new Leisure Centre opened in 2021 during the pandemic, and to complete and open such a significant facility for our residents during a time of national emergency must not go without mention.

"Our partner Everyone Active operates these facilities and the contract does not stipulate that they must allow cash transactions, so we cannot require that they do so now.

"In addition, Everyone Active had a ‘no cash’ policy in common with many other businesses at the time of opening but at a previous Advisory Board meeting, Everyone Active was asked to rethink this policy of not handling cash on the site.

"Everyone Active has received very little feedback from users on this issue since opening in May 2021 but agreed to take this question away to consider. They will consider the matter and respond to us by the time of the next Advisory Board meeting".