Help centre
Some of our frequently asked questions
We're here to help
Please choose the relevant topic from our list below to find answers to our most common questions.
Booking information
Questions about booking your classes, sessions and how to find the latest timetable information.
Booking information
I've paid for a booking, can I amend it?
We are happy to move your booking if you give us at least 2 hours notice by calling our team on 01670 620200.
Unfortunately we are unable to provide a refund once bookings are booked and paid for.
Where can I find timetable information?
The simplest way to check the latest timetables for all activities is on the Places Leisure app. Here you can:
- See all Swim Lane and Swim For All sessions
- Check all fitness class live availability
- Book soft play, Clip 'n Climb and parties
Timetables are also available to see on our in-centre kiosks. Just log in and browse your favourite activities.
The Places Leisure app
The Places Leisure app is the easiest way to view availability, make a booking and review your upcoming bookings. When you joined as a member or registered for a free PAYG account you will of setup a password which you can use to login to the Places Leisure app alongside the e-mail address provided.
If you are unable to use the Places Leisure app, but would like to make bookings via your phone then you can do so through the Places Leisure website or you can also call our team on 01670 620200.
Do I need to pre-book activities?
To avoid disappointment, we would advise pre-booking for activities for:
- Swimming
- Soft play
- Clip 'n Climb
- Fitness classes.
You can also book on the day at reception or via the self-serve kiosks.
You can also call our advisors on 01670 620200.
Do I have to be a member to use your centres?
No, our facilities are available for anyone to use.
All we ask is that you register as a Pay As You Go customer.
You can do this online or at reception, but it is required so that it gives you the chance to review and confirm that you agree to our Health Commitment statement in order to use our services.
Once you have registered you can:
1. Pay for individual activities
2. Save time by booking your activities via the app!
3. Book your activities up to 1 week ahead.
4. Use any of our leisure centres.
To find out more and to register for a PAYG account please click here.
How do I book an activity?
There are 5 ways you can book your activities with us.
- Places Leisure App
- Website - Find your centre and make your booking
- Phone - Call our team on 01670 620200
- Reception - Visit the reception of your local centre
- Kiosks - Visit the self serve kiosk in the reception of your local centre
How far in advance can I make a booking?
Places Leisure subscription members can book activities 15 days in advance from the time of booking.
Pay As You Go customers (Non members) can book 8 days in advance from the time of booking.
For bowling bookings, you can book ahead 30 days in advance. See:
How old do I need to be to make a booking?
Anyone over the age of 16 years can book and attend any fitness class.
Junior members, aged 14 years and above, can attend fitness classes which do not involve weights when accompanied by an adult.
Centre information
For questions relating to our centres and the facilities you can find within them, please click the link below.
Centre information
What is the best way to contact my centre?
We have a dedicated Contact Centre team who will be able to help you find information you haven't already found on our website who can be reached by calling 01670 620200.
Where is my nearest leisure centre?
You can find all of our centres in Northumberland on our Find a Centre page.
Do you have Wifi?
Yes - we will be changing the public wireless network to Places Leisure's offering. We hope to have this operational as soon as possible but it may not be in all areas to begin with.
You will need to search your wireless connections for 'Active Places', then read through our terms and conditions and follow the instructions provided, it is a very simple process, although we will have staff on hand to assist if required.
How can I provide feedback?
We'd love to hear about your experience with Places Leisure. Please email us at northumberland@pfpleisure.org . Feel free to leave your contact details if you would like us to respond to your feedback.
Do I need to pay for lockers?
Many of our lockers need a £1 coin to lock them (or a trolley token).
Don't forgot to pick it up when you unlock your locker at the end of your session.
If you are visiting one of the below centres then you'll be able to lock them using your member wristband or membership card.
- Berwick Sports & Leisure Centre
- Ponteland Leisure Centre
- Morpeth Sports & Leisure
If you're having problems, please speak to the reception team at your local centre.
Where can I find opening hours for my centre?
You can find our individual centre opening times on each of our centre pages on the Places Leisure website. Choose your centre to find out more.
Can I take photos or videos in the centre?
You are welcome to take pictures or videos in the the following areas:
- Hive bowling
- Hive Cafe
- Softplay
- Clip 'n climb
- Gyms
However, we restrict customers and visitors from taking pictures or videos in our swimming pools, pool spectator areas or changing areas.
For our full policy on photos and videos please refer to our terms and conditions of use here
Where can I find access information?
Our aim is to create accessible spaces that are available for everyone.
Use the links below to find information at each of our centres:
- Ashington Leisure Centre
- Berwick Sports and Leisure Centre
- Blyth Sports Centre
- Concordia Leisure Centre
- Morpeth Sports and Leisure Centre
- Newbiggin Sports and Community Hub
- Ponteland Leisure Centre
- Prudhoe Waterworld
- Wentworth Leisure Centre
- Willowburn Sports and Leisure Centre
Do you provide baby changing facilities?
Yes we offer baby changing facilities at most of our centres:
Use the links below to find out more information at each of our centres:
- Ashington Leisure Centre
- Berwick Sports and Leisure Centre
- Blyth Sports Centre
- Concordia Leisure Centre
- Morpeth Sports and Leisure Centre
- Newbiggin Sports and Community Hub
- Ponteland Leisure Centre
- Prudhoe Waterworld
- Wentworth Leisure Centre
- Willowburn Sports and Leisure Centre
Do you have showers at your centres?
Yes we offer showers at our centres.
How do I find out about job vacancies at Places Leisure?
We provide fantastic career opportunities at Places Leisure.
To find out more about our career opportunities and current job vacancies please visit our Careers page.
Do you allow dogs in your centres?
Only Assistance dogs are permitted to use our Places Leisure centres with their owners.
Do you offer any sports clubs at Places Leisure centres?
Yes a variety of sports clubs operate at many of our Active Northumberland centres. Examples of sports clubs that operate from our centres include:
- Football
- Gymnastics
- Badminton
- Swimming
- Martial arts
- Netball
- Cricket
- Hockey
- Running
And many more!
Find your centre for more information on what we offer at each location.
Membership information
We offer a range of memberships to choose from at Places Leisure. Find out about them, and rules and policies about becoming a member of your local centre at the link below.
Membership information
Where do I find my login details?
During registration you will be prompted to setup a password to access your online account and make bookings.
Your email address and password can be used to book activities via the Places Leisure app, Places Leisure website or at our in-centre self service kiosks.
If you have forgotten your password, please select "forgotten my password" and include the email and your Member ID to generate a password recovery.
If you are still having issues, please call our team on 01670 620200 or speak to our reception team who will be able to help you.
Where can I find Fitness membership T&C's?
Please find our full fitness membership terms & conditions by clicking here.
The Places Leisure app
The Places Leisure app is the easiest way to view availability, make a booking and review your upcoming bookings. When you joined as a member or registered for a free PAYG account you will of setup a password which you can use to login to the Places Leisure app alongside the e-mail address provided.
If you are unable to use the Places Leisure app, but would like to make bookings via your phone then you can do so through the Places Leisure website or you can also call our team on 01670 620200.
Can I freeze or pause my membership?
Yes, you can request a freeze or a pause on your membership for a minimum of 1 month or a maximum of 3 months with a qualifying reasons.
To request a freeze please contact our team on 01670 620200 who can advise. Please be sure to review our Terms & Conditions available here.
What kind of memberships do you offer?
We have a range of memberships which give you access to Gym, Swim and Fitness classes. You also have the option to sign up to a 12-month membership or if you prefer, we offer shorter term memberships too.
Alternatively you may just wish to Pay As You Go for your chosen activities.
To do this you just need to register for a free Pay As You Go account.
For a full range of our memberships on offer please find your centre and scroll down to the membership options.
Do I have to be a member to use your centres?
No, our facilities are available for anyone to use.
All we ask is that you register as a Pay As You Go customer.
You can do this online or at reception, but it is required so that it gives you the chance to review and confirm that you agree to our Health Commitment statement in order to use our services.
Once you have registered you can:
1. Pay for individual activities
2. Save time by booking your activities via the app!
3. Book your activities up to 1 week ahead.
4. Use any of our leisure centres.
To find out more and to register for a PAYG account please click here
Do you offer Junior memberships?
Yes, our junior memberships are for those aged 11 to 15 years old.
All juniors members get:
- Swim For All sessions included part of their membership
- Dedicated Junior Gym sessions
- Access to any of our 10 gyms in Northumberland when accompanied by an adult aged over 18yrs
- Access to selected fitness classes which are not weight based e.g Studio Cycling or Zumba when accompanied by an adult
Please be aware that any junior members wishing to use the gym need to complete a free ELEVATE Junior session to complete a health questionnaire and be shown how to use the appropriate equipment.
I'm a junior member but I can't book a gym session?
We ask that all junior members complete an ELEVATE junior session before attending a junior gym session or attending the gym with an adult.
Once this session has been completed it opens up the ability to book gym sessions online or on the app.
Our Places Leisure Junior ELEVATE session is so much more than a gym induction. During the ELEVATE junior sessions we will:
- Complete a health questionnaire
- Discuss your fitness goals
- Prescribe a fitness plan that matches your fitness goals
- Show you how to use all of the relevant equipment so you can train safely
- Set you up on Active Wellness so you can track your fitness plan on your mobile
Can I change my membership payment details?
Yes, of course.
You can either:
- Call our customer advisors on 01670 620200 or speak to our reception team who can make this change for you.
Can I change my Direct Debit collection date?
All payments for direct debit members come out on the 8th of every month.
Unfortunately we are unable to change this date for individual members.
Do you offer gym inductions?
At Places Leisure, we offer so much more than a gym induction with our 3-step fitness pathway called Elevate.
Do you offer baby classes?
Yes we offer classes for mum and baby as part of our Mams on the Move programme.
How do I book a Junior ELEVATE session?
Login or register an account for the Junior member - on the Places Leisure App tap 'ELEVATE' and select 'ELEVATE Junior'.
Please note if you're logged into an adult account, you will not be able to see ELEVATE Junior sessions.
Parents can book via reception or the contact centre on the Junior's behalf if required.
Do you offer concessions?
Yes, we offer Discounted Memberships for the following:
- Anyone in receipt of benefits
- Exercise on referral
- Young carers and looked after children
These memberships are individually priced.
For anyone 65 and over we offer a great value membership called Active Anytime 65+.
Swimming lessons
Follow the link below for information relating to swimming lessons for both children and adults.
Swimming lessons
How do I sign up to swimming lessons?
We are pleased to be able to welcome new learners year round onto our Learn to Swim programme.
From Parent and baby, pre-school and Stages 1-8 lessons, you can now book online through our online portal.
You can also call our team on 01670 620200 or speak to our reception teams on site.
We currently offering children's swimming lessons at:
- Ashington Leisure Centre
- Berwick Sports & Leisure Centre
- Blyth Sports Centre
- Concordia Leisure Centre
- Morpeth Sports & Leisure Centre
- Ponteland Leisure Centre
- Prudhoe Waterworld
- Wentworth Leisure Centre
- Willowburn Sports & Leisure Centre
How do I track my child's swim lesson progress?
Course hub is our online swimming lesson management tool that allows you track progress in your current lessons and choose your next class once you are ready to move up. When you sign up to swimming lessons you will receive details about how to register for your Course hub account.
Which swim stage is best for my child?
If you're looking to enrol your child on our Learn to Swim programme and you're unsure which swim stage is best for your child, please head over to our online enrolment page.
From here you can select Children's Swimming Lessons and complete our questionnaire which will suggest the most suitable swim stage for your child to enrol on.
Do you have any terms and conditions for Learn to Swim?
Yes, please visit our activity course terms and conditions page here to view these.
Parties
We welcome visitors to celebrate parties at our centres, whether it's a birthday or other special occasion.
Follow the link below for our frequently asked questions relating to parties.
Birthday parties
Where can I find T&Cs for party bookings?
Full terms and conditions can be found on our policies page.
How do I book a party?
We have a range of parties available at our centre's across Northumberland.
Please take a look just what's on offer on our website by finding your centre and navigating to the 'Family & Kids' tab.
Once you've chosen your party and location you can check availability and book here. Alternatively, contact our team on 01670 620200, or email us at bdaypartynorthumberland@prpleisure.org.
To secure your party, we require full payment at time of booking.
Once you've booked your party you will receive an email confirmation which will include information of how you can book food for your party (at an additional cost).
Please note only food and drink bought from Places Leisure can be consumed on premises however we allow for the party bookee to bring cake, party bags and decorations to the venue.