David Lloyd introduces women-only spa sessions; Purley members allege discrimination
David Lloyd has introduced weekly women-only spa sessions at some clubs, and male members at the Purley branch call them discriminatory. The company says the move follows member feedback and complies with the Equality Act 2010.
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The story, neutrally told
Right · 2David Lloyd has introduced women-only spa sessions at some of its clubs, from 6pm to 8pm on Thursdays, and male members at the Purley club in Croydon, south London, have accused it of discrimination. Daily MailR “has introduced women-only spa sessions at some of its branches during peak evening hours, from 6pm to 8pm on Thursdays.” Read at Daily Mail ↗ GB NewsR “One of the branches includes Purley in Croydon, South London.” Read at GB News ↗ Right · 2The sessions came into force at the start of October. Members told the Daily Mail they were not consulted, that their complaints were ignored, and that the branch confirmed by email this week that the sessions would continue. Daily MailR “which came into force at the start of October, and claim their subsequent complaints have been ignored” Read at Daily Mail ↗ GB NewsR “Male members at the Purley branch told the Daily Mail they were "not consulted"” Read at GB News ↗ Right · 1One member, Sam, 50, a member for 15 years, said small signage went up by the spa entrance four to five days beforehand, with no email. He said the manager told him some members had stopped using the spa because of men, and that some Muslim women did not feel comfortable. Daily MailR “They put up small signage by the entrance to the spa saying they were introducing women's only sessions around four to five days before they started.”“One of the reasons given was that some Muslim women don't feel comfortable.” Read at Daily Mail ↗
Right · 2Members said they were told there was no equivalent men's session because men do not feel uncomfortable around women. They also said they received no fee reduction for the lost access. Another man called the policy 'borderline discrimination' and 'medieval'. Daily MailR “men don't feel uncomfortable around women” Read at Daily Mail ↗ GB NewsR “I think it's a medieval policy.” Read at GB News ↗ Right · 1A voluntary survey launched by a member found 75 per cent of the first 82 respondents favoured restoring mixed access. Nine respondents (11 per cent) wanted to keep women-only sessions but move them off-peak. Of 16 women who took part, 10 backed mixed sessions on Thursdays. The survey is not a representative poll, and only the Daily Mail reported it. Daily MailR “found that 75 per cent of the first 82 respondents favoured restoring mixed access to the spa.”“Of the 16 women who took part in the survey, 10 voted in favour of reinstating mixed-gender spa sessions on Thursdays.” Read at Daily Mail ↗ Right · 1A woman in her 20s told the Daily Mail she was 'categorically' against single-sex sessions, saying they set men and women against each other. Daily MailR “One woman, aged in her 20s, told the Daily Mail she was 'categorically' against the introduction of single-sex spa sessions.” Read at Daily Mail ↗
Right · 1According to the Daily Mail, women-only sessions have been rolled out in 15 of David Lloyd's 151 gyms. The company has told complainants the policy fits the Equality Act 2010. The chain, founded in 1982 and now owned by TDR Capital, charges up to about £200 a month. Daily MailR “Women-only sessions have so far been rolled out in 15 of David Lloyd's 151 gyms across the country.”“it fully aligns with the principles of the Equality Act 2010.” Read at Daily Mail ↗ Right · 2A David Lloyd spokesman said the weekly two-hour session followed feedback from many members who wanted a short period of relaxation in a space exclusively for them. He said the spa is fully accessible outside those signposted times, and the company declined further comment. The religious reason is reported only through members' accounts of what staff told them, not as a company statement. GB News said it had contacted David Lloyd for comment. Daily MailR “The decision to introduce a weekly, two-hour female-only spa session was made after listening to feedback from many of our members across our clubs”“The spa retreat remains fully accessible outside of these clearly signposted times.” Read at Daily Mail ↗ GB NewsR “GB News has contacted David Lloyd for comment.” Read at GB News ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre0 outlets
No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Right2 outlets
- Framing
- Both outlets lead with male members' complaints of discrimination and a 'ban' on men, and stress the religious-reasons explanation in their headlines. GB News largely reuses the Daily Mail's reporting.
- Emphasis
- Lack of consultation, no fee reduction, no men's equivalent, premium price. The Daily Mail adds the survey, a woman's dissent and the company's response.
- Leaves out or plays down
- GB News omits the company's statement, the Equality Act defence, the survey and the 15-of-151 figure. Neither includes outside legal or equality-body comment or voices supporting the sessions.
- Charged language
- “ban men”“medieval policy”“Furious members”“left outraged”
- For example
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“Furious members have accused David Lloyd of 'discrimination'” — Daily Mail
“Male gym-goers have been left outraged” — GB News
What every side reports
- Women-only spa sessions run from 6pm to 8pm on Thursdays at David Lloyd Purley from October.
- Male members say they were not consulted and that there is no equivalent men's session.
- Members say staff cited some women feeling uncomfortable, including for religious reasons.
Where accounts differ
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Whether the sessions are discriminatory
- Right
- Members call them discrimination and a 'medieval policy'.
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Why the sessions were introduced
- Right
- Members say staff gave religious reasons; the company's statement cites member feedback and a wish for a space for women and says it complies with the Equality Act 2010.
David Lloyd Leisure organisation
Says the weekly two-hour women's session followed member feedback and aligns with the Equality Act 2010, that the spa is open to all at other times, and that it will keep listening to members.
“it fully aligns with the principles of the Equality Act 2010.” — Daily Mail
“The spa retreat remains fully accessible outside of these clearly signposted times.” — Daily Mail
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre0 articles
No coverage yet.
Right2 articles
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Critical Presents male members' grievances in detail, framing the policy as a ban on men, with the company's response near the end.
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GB NewsR ·
Men banned from gym spa sessions as women feel uncomfortable for 'religious reasons'
Critical Condensed rewrite of the Daily Mail's report, led by the discrimination accusation, with spa facilities listed and no company response.
- 28 Oct 03:23 First Daily MailR Gymgoers accuse David Lloyd of 'discrimination' as health clubs ban men from spa sessions because women feel uncomfortable for 'religious reasons'
- 28 Oct 16:03 +12h 40m GB NewsR Men banned from gym spa sessions as women feel uncomfortable for 'religious reasons'
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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