FAQs

During public swim sessions, a lifeguard will be on duty.

No, for everyone's safety, our pools will not be open to the public if no lifeguard is available.

Our pools are generally between 28.5C and 32C. Our jacuzzis are between 35C and 40C.

Northwich Memorial Court temperatures are below;

Main Pool - 28.5 C
Small Pool - 30. 0C
Jacuzzi - 35.0C

Yes, you can buy these at the reception desk.

We require all children to wear swim nappies in the pool until they’re fully toilet trained.

We do ask all swimmers to shower before getting in the pool, as this removes any dirt or products from your body and helps us keep the pool clean!

Children aged 8 and over, who are confident swimmers are welcome to swim alone. Suitable inflation aids must be worn by weaker swimmers.

Beach balls, small inflatable objects, sinkers and toys can be used in the pools. Large inflatable objects are not allowed as they block the lifeguards' view. 

Of course! All of our pools have viewing areas.

Yes, all of our pools have 20p-operated lockers available, but some centres may require a £1 instead.

Yes, Brio centres with a pool will all have a range of products (inflation aids, goggles, etc) and pool clothing available to buy.

Yes, there will be hooks for you to hang your towel on.

We don’t allow wetsuits in our pools due to the risk of cross-contamination from outside water sources. They’re also designed to be in very cold water, so could cause the you to overheat!

During busy times your swim will be restricted to a minimum of 45 minutes, but if the pool is quiet then there will be no restrictions.

Brio Ellesmere Port and Brio Northgate have Pool Walkers who are there to give you advice and tips. Brio Northgate pools are not currently open due to the refurbishment. 

Brio Christleton, Brio Ellesmere Port and Brio Neston all have private shower cubicles. Brio Winsford and Brio Northwich offer community shower areas. There are no showers available to use at Brio Northgate during the refurbishment. 

Sorry, we don’t sell toiletries.

Give us a call at the centre of your choice to book a swimming lesson induction. We will then discuss with you the best way to progress with the Brio Learn 2 Swim Programme.

An induction helps us see how confident your child is in the water so we can make sure they’re in the right class for their level. We understand that starting swimming lessons can seem scary, so if your child is a non-swimmer, they will find out where their lessons take place and see the equipment they will use. We also make sure that Mum, Dad and/ or guardians are given some health and safety information, too.

This depends on the child’s ability as some levels can be busier than others. We will always aim to allocate a place for every child as soon as one becomes available.

We follow the ASA National Teaching Plan through stages 1 – 10.

Lessons for stages 1 – 7 are 30 minutes long, whilst stages 8 – 10 last for 45 minutes.

Every child progresses at their own pace. We will move them up when they have achieved all the criteria within a stage.

We have strong links with local exit clubs including competitive swimming, water polo, lifesaving and triathlon.

Our Brio Learn 2 Swim Team will advise you when your child is ready to move. If they complete the criteria of a stage midterm, we will always aim to move them as long as space is available.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to request a specific teacher.

Please send us an email. A member of the Brio Swim team will contact you to help you with your query.

Unfortunately we do not offer individual catch up sessions.

For any query regarding your lessons please contact your local centre and we’ll do our best to help you out. Alternatively, you can email us at info@brioleisure.org and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

Yes, we offer a rolling programme which you can leave at any time.

All Brio Leisure facilities are accessible by wheelchair, with lifts to first-floor amenities where appropriate. All of our sites also include accessible toilets and changing rooms.

We have pool hoists available at all of our swimming pools, and the staff are happy to assist with support and access where required. Simply let a member of the team know if you need any assistance when you arrive.

Most sites have disabled parking bays and dropped curbs or ramps along with sliding doors. If you find any of our facilities difficult to access for any reason, please speak to any member of the Brio Leisure team about how we can make your visit to our centres more suitable for your needs.

Many of our centres now have listings on the DisabledGo website. Visit one of our centre pages to find out more.

Yes, we can accommodate assistant dogs at all of our facilities.

Easy! Head over to your app store and search for Brio Leisure. If you’re already an app user, you can simply update your current app.

If you’re looking to book a swimming session at the Northgate Arena, you can do this within the app, including lane and casual swimming and steam/sauna sessions. If you’re looking to book at Christleton, you can easily book onto our lunch time lanes. However, for all other sites, please feel free to check out the swimming timetables and just show up in centre.

Good question! You can now book so many activities, classes and sessions across all of our Brio sites now. This includes sports, racquet games and even Topsy Tumble sessions. Of course, exercise classes are available to book through the app as always.

This is the best bit about our new app – it’s available to everyone! Whether you’re a pay-as-you-go user, on an off-peak membership or a Premier member, you can access the new app. If you don’t have a login, no problems. Just tap ‘Create An Account’ or ‘Join Brio’ on the homepage and sign up for a membership or a FREE Brio Active Card. You get £1 off all PAYG prices with it as well.

Easy! Tap ‘Create An Account’ or ‘Join Brio’ on the homepage and sign up for a membership or a FREE Brio Active Card. You get £1 off all PAYG prices with it as well. You’ll get a confirmation email with a link to set up your account. Just follow the steps and your online and app account will be ready to go

You can find your membership ID on your membership card within the Brio App, under the 'View My Membership Card' section.

Brio Wellbeing offers a range of services, including smoking cessation support, weight management programs, guidance on safe exercise, and fall prevention strategies.

Brio Wellbeing is a health improvement service that helps people across Cheshire West and Chester to make positive changes to their health and wellbeing.

Brio offers a variety of catering options to suit your event's needs, from a simple selection of tea, coffee, and biscuits to business breakfasts, afternoon tea, sandwich platters, finger foods, and even formal sit-down dinners.

Absolutely! Brio understands that people have different dietary needs. All their menus are adaptable to accommodate individual needs and special dietary requirements.

Brio provides menus for conference packages, weddings, and prom events. If you'd like to discuss other menu options or book catering services for your event, you can simply email them at catering@brioleisure.org.

If you have an event outside of these categories, it's best to contact Brio Leisure directly at catering@brioleisure.org to inquire about their availability and options

You can book online using the links above or feel free to reach out to your preferred centre.

We’ve got a few options for you! 

• Stay as you are to continue using the temporary facilities at Northgate Arena and make use of our other amazing sites (a full list can be found here). You’ll also get access to an exclusive VIP membership offer when we reopen. 
• Switch to our special £17.95 adult or £11 junior per month deal, which gives you access to Northgate’s limited facilities. Stay with this for the full closure period, and we’ll treat you to a VIP membership offer when we reopen – it’s exclusive, just for you! 
• Or, if you need a break, you can freeze your current membership with no fuss for the entirety of the refurb. Just let us know what suits you best! 

If you’d like to stay as you are, great! Feel free to start using other Brio sites. Otherwise, let us know what you want to do here.  

IMPORTANT: Please let us know by Friday 6th December 2024 so your Direct Debit can be correctly edited 

We’ve got a few options for you! 

• Stay as you are to continue using the temporary facilities at Northgate Arena and make use of our other amazing sites (a full list can be found here). You’ll also get access to an exclusive VIP membership offer when we reopen. 
• Switch to our special £17.95 adult or £11 junior per month deal, which gives you access to Northgate’s limited facilities. You will be refunded the difference between the annual fee you paid and the total amount of the temporary offer across the closure period. If stay with us throughout the closure period, we’ll treat you to a VIP membership offer when we reopen – it’s exclusive, just for you! 
• Or, if you need a break, you can freeze your current membership with no fuss for the entirety of the refurb. Just let us know what suits you best! 
• You can also be issued with a refund on the time you have left on your annual subscription. There will be a 10 day cooling off period from Monday 6th January. If you do not claim a refund before this date (Thurs 16th January 2025), we will be unable to issue you with one. Please reach out to the Brio team at Northgate Arena and they’ll be happy to help. 

If you’d like to stay as you are, great! Feel free to start using other Brio sites. Otherwise, let us know what you want to do here. 

IMPORTANT: Please let us know by Friday 6th December 2024 so we can update your payment accordingly. You can let us know your choice here. 

We’ve got a few options for you! 

• Stay as you are and use the pools at our other centres, including Ellesmere Port Sports Village, Neston Recreation Centre and Christleton Sports Centre. A full list of our centres with pools can be seen here). You’ll also get access to an exclusive VIP Swim membership offer when we reopen. 
• Or, if you need a break, you can freeze your current membership with no fuss for the entirety of the refurb. Just let us know what suits you best! 

If you’d like to stay as you are, great! Feel free to start using other Brio sites. Otherwise, let us know what you want to do here. 

IMPORTANT: Please let us know by Friday 6th December 2024 so your Direct Debit can be correctly edited 

The refurbishment kicks off soon! Both pools will close from 23rd December 2024, the Northgate Arena will be fully closed from Monday the 6th January to Sunday the 12th January. We will reopen on January 13th with a partial offering available through to Spring 2026. We’ll still have some facilities available during this time, but the big transformation will be underway! 

We will also need to shut down the gym and sports hall on 16th – 18th December 2024 to move all gym equipment to its new temporary home. Don’t worry, both will reopen again on 19th December.

We’re aiming to have the all-new Northgate Arena ready for you by Spring 2026. Yes, it’s a little while away, but trust us, the new facilities are going to be worth the wait! If you’d like to be the first to know & get updates straight to your inbox, sign up here.

Yes! While the main building is getting its glow-up, we’ll have a temporary gym space available, so you can still get your workout in. It might be a bit different, but it’s still packed with all the essentials. Although the gym will still be in action, we cannot say the same for our changing rooms. Unfortunately, these and our showers will remain closed throughout the duration of the project. Toilet facilities will remain open though. 

Another thing to keep in mind is that we will also need to shut down the gym and sports hall on 16th – 18th December 2024 to move all gym equipment to its new temporary home. Don’t worry, both will reopen again on 19th December. 

During the refurbishment, we will relocate as many swimming lessons as possible to either Christleton Sports Centre or Ellesmere Port Sports Village. However, our Aquatics Officers will be in touch to confirm that status of your lesson, the new location and class times. Most of our lessons will continue, just in a different pool for now!  

Absolutely! We’ll still be running over 60 fitness classes per week in our temporary space. From spin classes to Pilates and yoga, there will be a variety of classes on offer. Check our timetable for what’s on offer. You can also continue to book through our app. Although we’ll still have a packed class programme, unfortunately, our changing rooms and showers will remain closed throughout the duration of the project. 

Don’t worry, we’ve got your little ones covered! A replacement session will run at Frodsham Leisure Centre at the same time. If that’s not convenient, we also have sessions at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:30 – 11:15 am.

During the works, a section of the car park will be closed. You’ll still be able to access the car park from both directions on Victoria Road, however, it will be a right turn only when you exit. Don’t worry – the rest of the parking area will still be available for use as normal. Just give yourself a bit of extra time to find a spot.

Now that the partial closure has started, block bookings may be affected. We’ll contact clubs directly to discuss your options and help make any necessary arrangements. We’re here to help!

Where do we start?! The refurbishment includes a refreshed pool area, a state-of-the-art gym, much-improved family-friendly changing facilities, new, modern and dedicated fitness studios, and so much more! We're also adding some eco-friendly upgrades like solar panels and LED lighting to make Northgate greener and more energy-efficient. 

No need to hang up your goggles! Whilst Brio Northgate pools are closed, your Brio membership gives you access to our other swimming pools at Brio Christleton, Brio Neston and Brio Ellesmere Port. You can also visit Chester City Baths on Union Street in the city centre, but please note that this location is not included in your Brio membership or Brio Active Card.  

Even with the refurbishment underway, there’s still plenty to keep you active! While the main building will be partially closed, here’s what you can do in our temporary facilities: 

• Temporary Gym Space: Stay fit and healthy in our temporary gym, equipped with essential cardio and strength equipment. 
• Fitness & Spin Classes: Join our selection of group fitness classes, ranging from yoga, spin and pilates to high-intensity training – all running throughout the closure. 
• Sports and Activities: We’ll continue to offer a variety of sports like badminton, pickleball, table tennis and more in our allocated studio space and sports hall. 

However, please note that all changing rooms, showers and both swimming pools will remain closed during the refurbishment. 

Unfortunately, all showers and changing rooms will be closed. We know this might be a bit inconvenient, but we’re working hard to provide the best experience possible with the temporary facilities. If you’re coming for a workout or a class, please arrive ready to go. Thanks for bearing with us – it’ll all be worth it when the new, improved spaces open! The toilets will remain open in the café area as usual.

Whilst we’re hoping to keep disruption to a minimum, there may be some changes to some classes and activities during the refurbishment. We’ll always do our best to update you on any changes in advance. Keep an eye on our website and sign up above to stay in the know. 

Yes, our reception will remain open during the refurbishment! You’ll still be able to pop in for any enquiries, bookings or general support. We’re here to help with anything you need, even while the building gets its makeover! Just bear in mind that access may be a little different, but we’ll make sure it’s as smooth as possible. 

We will be in touch within 48 hours of receiving your referral and will find a convenient time for your first appointment.

Yes! Your carer is more than welcome to come with you to help you during your time with us.

The great news is that all Nicotine Replacement Therapy, which includes patches, gums, sprays and other types are completely free! Other treatments are available, for which there may be a prescription charge if you normally pay.

We have venues across Cheshire West and Chester, so you can find a location that’s easy to get to. If you are unable to leave your home, we can discuss whether we can support you in another way. We will work with you to find a solution that works for you.

The full programme of classes is 25 weeks. The class will be 1-hour every week on the same day and time and you will be encouraged to do exercises at home also.

Ensure you wear comfortable clothes and footwear. Also bring with you a drink.

Our programmes are designed to help individuals with their personal goals. However, that doesn’t mean the family can’t get involved. Change 4 Life has lots of tips to help families move more and eat well visit https://www.nhs.uk/healthier-families/

Yes! Your carer or personal assistant is more than welcome to come with you to help you during your time with us. Did you know we also do a carers membership so you can work out and make those behaviour changes together? Ask our site teams for more information.

You can book classes through our app or online - just select 'Active Communities' in the 'Where' field to see all available centres. Walk-ins are welcome, but we recommend booking in advance as spaces are limited.

Yes! Your carer is more than welcome to come with you to help you during your time with us.

Parking is free at all the Active Communities centres listed on this page.

Yes, all Active Communities classes are free for Brio Premier members and included in our memberships. Pay-as-you-go users can also sign up for a Brio Active Card to save £1 on class prices.

Class prices vary but all are designed to be affordable and accessible. Pay-as-you-go users can sign up for a Brio Active Card online to save an extra £1 per class.

Offer valid until 31 October 2025.

This offer is available to adults (Direct Debit and Annual) and juniors (Annual deal only), as well as new, upgrading, and returning members. Returning members can re-join on the offer unless they cancelled their membership within the last calendar month. Both current and returning members can take advantage of the Annual deals.

Current Direct Debit members can also upgrade to another membership as part of this offer, for example, moving from a Swim Only membership to a Premier or WorkFit subscription during the October offer.

For full details, please see our Terms and Conditions page.

This offer excludes our Track Only memberships and the Brio Northgate Temporary offer.

StrongHer Together is a gym session designed to provide a safe, supportive, and empowering space for women. While the session takes place in a shared gym environment, it’s focused on helping women feel confident, build strength, and connect with others.

All women are welcome, whether you’re completely new to the gym or already have experience. Exercises can be adapted to suit all fitness levels.

Sessions may include guided group workouts focused on functional strength and movement, or the chance to train at your own pace using workout cards tailored to different goals. No matter the format, a dedicated instructor will always be on hand to provide coaching, demonstrations, and personalised tips.

Just your usual gym kit, a bottle of water, and a positive attitude! All equipment for the workouts will be provided.

Yes - a dedicated gym instructor will be on hand throughout to demonstrate exercises, answer questions, and support you. You’ll also be introduced to other participants to help you feel part of the community straight away.

Not at all. StrongHer Together is about building confidence, friendships, and a supportive network of women who encourage each other both inside and outside the gym.

You’ll be encouraged to join in, but you can go at your own pace. Workout cards are available if you prefer to follow a set plan individually.

The rooms are available for health professionals, therapists, and clinicians looking for a fully equipped, professional space to deliver their services.

Each 14m² room comes with a medical-grade height-adjustable couch, patient and clinician chairs, a desk, a sink, and access to medical waste disposal through our contractor.

The centre is open Monday to Friday from 6:30am – 10:00pm and weekends from 8:00am – 4:00pm. It is fully accessible, with ample parking, a café, and a bus stop directly outside.

Yes - in addition to standard features like Wi-Fi, seating, and a height-adjustable couch, you can arrange optional extras at an additional cost, such as a secure Wi-Fi line, clinical waste disposal, or other requirements tailored to your needs.

You'll still be able to park on-site, but with fewer spaces available while the works are carried out. You'll need to enter via Trafford Street rather than the main entrance, and a gate attendant will be there to manage vehicles in and out.

It’ll be one-in-one-out, so we'd recommend allowing a bit of extra time when you arrive. Alternatively, there is parking available at:

• -      Delamere Street car park
• -      Brook Street car park

Kindly be advised that parking in these car parks incurs a fee.

During the works, there's unfortunately no step-free route from the temporary car park space into the building. If you need level access, we'd ask you to park at Delamere Street Car Park (across the dual carriageway), where there's one designated accessible car parking bay.

If you're visiting for a Brio Wellbeing session or class, please rest assured that your instructor will be on site to assist you in entering and exiting the building.

From there, you can reach the centre via the subway ramp or the level street-crossing further down St Oswald's Way. You'll then enter through a temporary rear entrance via the café fire-exit pathway.

Being dropped off? You can be dropped off by the current main entrance to the car park and make your way through the pedestrian route around to the accessible entrance near the rear of the cafe.

Please call the centre at 01244 380444, and a team member will come out to assist you. There will also be a second mobile phone number visible on the entrance doorway. There will be someone available on site to help customers who need assistance.

These changes are part of the final phase of our refurbishment works at Brio Northgate, so we're nearly there! This is quite a complex part of the project, involving some essential external works to the building. We expect these car park works to be complete by 30^th March after which you'll start to see some brilliant improvements to the centre.

Fingers crossed we can open earlier. If we can, you’ll be the first to know via our social media pages, app and email, so keep your eyes peeled.

Hopefully then the completed refurbished Brio Northgate will be fully open to the public again in Spring 2026.

If you have any further questions before travelling, please contact the centre team who will be happy to help.

Yes, the temporary facilities remain open throughout. Once you've parked and made your way in, you'll use a temporary entrance via the sports hall. Some routes will feel a little different, but the team will be on hand to guide you through. If you have any concerns about accessing a specific facility or class during this time, feel free to contact Brio Northgate here.

At busy times the car park may reach capacity. If this happens, please use nearby public car parks and allow extra time for your visit. Our team will be on hand to help direct customers where possible.

Yes, you can see a map of how to enter the car park and building during the temporary works above. It will also show the accessible access route we have into the building and accessible parking if needed.