Large pool with plenty for the kids to do, including an indoor slide. The baskets are a good idea if you don't want the locker key wristband or carry change. The cafe has plenty of seating and decent options. The facilities are very clean but my only issue is that there aren't enough family and disabled changing units, which leaves several families waiting outside in the hallway, potentially freezing if they've just come out of the pool. That undermines the hard work Brio Leisure puts into making Northgate Arena family friendly

Rude staff member kept being snotty and not helping had to call manger luckly they helped us. Staff stormed off somewere bad customer service. Pool was nice a bit dirty and it smelt while waiting.

Amazing place, never had any problems, staff are kind, amazing and never rude. Large pool which is now always fully open (used to be half closed due to staff shortages) which is amazing, a slide that is always open, pool can be cold though that's why it only 4 stars. Over all I have never had any bad experiences and will continue to go.

The pool is a huge fun pool, with a water slide and a large shallow area so kids can have fun. There's a good size viewing balcony. There are small slides for under 5s and little seating areas in the water. There were a lot of people play fighting in the pool, which I personally didn't like as you kept having to make sure you avoid them. The changing rooms are also large and there are 4 family changing rooms, but you can't then access the hairdryers etc from them, you have to go into the single sex changing rooms, which is tricky for father and daughter to do. Instead of lockers, they have a basket system where you put all your clothes and towels in a basket, hand it over, and get a wristband. There is a second more traditional 25m pool for swim lessons and kayak and various other training things. The cafe has been refurbished and also has a lot of seating areas. There isn't always a member of staff to serve you. You have to press a silent button and wait in hope, between 1 and 5 mins, for someone to appear and serve you. The sports hall is well kept and multi purpose, I saw pickleball and trampolining when I was there. The gym is upstairs, which I didn't see but was very popular. Parking is next to the arena.

Telephoned and enquired about 'kids' swim sessions. Told they were at 10.30am and 11.30am. Got there for 11.15 and asked for 1 child and 1 adult. I was asked how old the child was and replied she's 6, only to be told the 11.30 session was for 'under 5's'. The arrogant man on the desk wouldn't change his view, despite the fact it was him we'd spoken to on the phone. We are visiting the city for a few days, so that was one morning wasted, plus we had a very disappointed little girl on our hands.His only come back was that people 'know it's for under 5's'. They might do if they live in Chester but you don't if you are a visitor - plus its his job to give accurate information when asked.

If I could give 0 I would… I have had really disappointing customer service from this leisure centre, particularly when trying to use the pool facilities. I have too many issues to write up and so I will detail only by saying that the fact you are unable to ever get through to anyone at the centre by calling and you are unable to refund or rebook by any circumstances is very unfair and I was told by the manager even if I were seriously ill I wouldn’t be able to change my booking

Had a worst experience today. We always play badminton every Monday and every time staff they put the net up wrong so we always take it off and make it right so i went to inform duty manager name Louise just to tell her. She was so ignorant and she said to me *it take about 20 seconds to fix it* and i said its not about the 20 second im just saying every time it happens. She said in 20 years no one complained and i was *moaning* and she walked off. She said they set net for single players game but i knew she was making excuses and being ignorant. Asked for complaint form they didn't have it.

Would not recommend for a swim. Guards were not bothered about maintaining safety rules with kids bombing left right and centre and cutting across swimming lanes. Would not waste your money coming here, could’ve saved myself money by sitting in a bath and doing nothing than coming here and doing the same.

We looked up opening times - 6.30am! and brought our grandchildren to NGA at 9.45am to be told no swimming was available until 11am. As I’m disabled just getting there and parked up, this was disappointing, we went home for an hour and returned at 11, by now no disabled spaces left. we couldn’t find time slots on website to book in advance, might have been helpful. Slide still not working since our last visit in Dec 21. Children did enjoy themselves in the end.

Just a I remember it from 20 years ago, slightly scary how little has changed, but it's still a great pool. Colder than expected for a family pool. Slide is excellent, as is the whale. 👌

VERY disappointed with the service. Impossible to contact them. Wanted to take our grandchildren swimming. We went here a few years back. I couldn't get ANY response trying to phone despite trying 6 or more times during the day. Don't they have anyone on phone reception? Also, I did have an account but it would not accept my password. I tried numerous times to get a new password sent but NOTHING SENT TO MY EMAIL. Basically, we have had to give up trying to go swimming and have two very dissapointed grandchildren. Poor show Brio leisure centre.

Blonde lady on the desk fir swimming was very sociable, northgate arena need to put your wages up as you stand out above the rest. The man seemed new and nervous, didn't have many social skills. They should make visitors to the pool aware that the gates may shut for 15 mins before you are able to use the pool!! As if you are on a time schedule you may not get much swim time. Overall the pool was clean, changing rooms were clean and one member of staff were very pleasant and welcoming.

The website is overly complicated and confusing. Want to book a swim for 1 adult and 1 child - only lets you book a 4 person family swim??? No one answers the phones either. Still havent managed to go yet

Grim ! Filthy changing rooms , look up above you at the pipes . Doors missing from cubicles or locks bent and they don’t close , missing tiles , very run down . Had to queue behind a gate before entering the pool even though it was almost empty . Cold pool , again all areas run down , stream room not working . Deep end coned off as they had shortage of lifeguards to watch it but reception don’t tell you that , and still charge you full price for a leisure swim. I wouldn’t use the showers as the floor was dirty so got changed and left . The reception and entrance area is nice enter the pool changing rooms and then it’s all goes downhill ! Felt ripped off

We go to the fun and floats for under 5s, my 2 & 4 yr old have great fun. I feel the session could and should last longer than 45 minutes though! Kids are not ready to leave

Brilliant place, had kids jujitsu competition take place there, massive leisure centre 👏

Never known a pool to need close every hour or so to change life guards. Everyone gets kicked out while it takes 15 minutes for a new one to sit down. Every other pool just gets a new one before the old one leaves.

Last week we went here and got in the swimming pool at ten to the hour and was all called out the pool 70 minutes later for the new rules because of COVID so we was told we can just wait and go back in. This time around the woman at the desk tells us we just missed a session and I told her what happened last time. She said we'd have to wait for the next session and if we wanted to go in again we'd have to pay for another session. So for one session in the swimming pool is 1 hour 15 minutes which costs £12 for my daughter and I. It's not ideal for people who have to travel on the bus. So won't be coming here again.

In a state of disrepair, shocking as it was closed for a while for a refurb, the pool still looks the exact same as 15 years ago, same as the sauna and steam room. Grim atmosphere in the changing rooms with missing benches, broken hair dryers and mouldy wooden window frames everywhere, this grim feeling carries on into the pool area. Place needs knocking down and rebuilding from the ground up.

Generally northgate arena is alright. However, they've removed the self check in machines, which can cause you to lose valuable time into a booked session like badminton etc. So sometimes you can lose up to 10 minutes just queuing instead of going straight into your booked court. Furthermore, if you book two time slots in a row with your partner.. they fine you if you don't go back to the reception to check in the second slot on top of blocking your account even though you did attend. The gym part of northgate is fine, I don't really have any issues with that. Lastly if you go swimming here, the staff don't give any instructions on what to expect for the first time. Specifically it wasn't clear that you put all your stuff in a green basket then take it out to the reception by the swimming pool. That could be resolved with better staff or just signage. In conclusion, bring back the self check in machines as it would greatly reduce congestion in the queue and the staff should communicate their expectations better for activities in general and be less rude frankly.

Had a great time withy 9 year old in the pool. Took me back 40 years when my parents did the same with me. Cafe also good for a coffee.

Pool is pretty cold. Ok for a proper swim but if you're taking the kids, have some soup first. I know, I know, there's an energy crisis and we're lucky to have a pool. Still charge you though, heating is extra ha ha

The staff in the gym area need to be taught about what weight lifting is, I was trying to do deadlifts and expected to not drop the weight after I'm done, you can not slowly put down weight after a dead lift without causing injury, they should be taught about weight lifting if they are working in the gym area, and also threatened to ban me if I carried on, definitely the worst gym staff in the area wouldn't recommend 🙏

Staff are always friendly enough and it's a nice big pool, but the whole place is looking it's age, and the pool changing rooms are freezing.

Great swimming for young children age 2 and 5. It's dated but clean and warm water so kids didn't care about the decor. Family changing rooms nice and big for 4 of us. We visited 11am to 12.15. Queue on door as we arrived was dealt with quickly and we got out of the pool 10 mins before the session end so no issues getting a changing room. Need a 20p coin for a locker.

Nice place for leisure and sport for all the family. The site is a bit old fashioned and for the prices offered. The team is nice and helpful. Unfortunately the swimming pool is a bit messy .people looks fed up .the change room and crates for your stuff are just dirty .you have to wait behind a barrier steel gate until they release you to access to the swimming pool and 1.30 an horrible alarm push you out ....your slots is finished .there's no real swimming lines because staff don't really makes the rules respected

Changing areas for swimming in need of major overhaul. No privacy - dad and daughter have to change in open plan mens changing room. Pool hugely overcrowded. Slide was closed due to fault. Not a patch on Northwich Memorial Court!

Great public gym, reasonably priced and well maintained and clean - people were cleaning the equipment down with anti bac spray and wipes after use. We didn't go into the Pool area but we saw some of the classes in the main sports hall and they looked professionally delivered with everyone enjoying it.

Current member yes its a bit dated basic gym. sauna steam and a pool oh and a sports hall which i dont use lol. I like the people there has a vibe doesnt feel commercial. been to others in past but always end up going back. £32 per month for all facilities bang in middle of chester not bad. parking is free if your a member aswell