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Below are some of the frequently asked questions that we receive.  If you are unable to find the information you require on our website, and your answers are not on this list then please contact one of our friendly team for help.  The contact form is at the bottom of the page.

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Do I need a coin for your lockers?

The lockers operate on a 20p non refundable system.  You will need a 20p coin and the locker will retain this after it is used so we recommend having a couple handy if you are planning to revisit your locker during your visit.  Please note we are unable to do cashback on a card but can provide change from another form of denomination.

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Do you have a Car Park and how much is it?

There is a large car park which it is possible to drive straight into on entry, the barriers will lift as you approach.  To exit you will need to insert a token which can be purchased from reception on the following rates:

DD/Pay in Full Members - FREE

Visitors to the centre £1.30

Non visitors £3.50

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Are there disabled parking spaces?

Yes we have disabled spaces in the center of the turning circle directly at the front of the building.  Parking in this area is free but please display a valid blue badge when using these spaces.  The area is monitored by parking enforcement officers and you could be in receipt of a fine without one.

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Parking on double yellow lines

We kindly ask customers not to park on the double yellow lines as we need this area clear to allow access for emergency vehicles.  The area around the building is monitored by parking enforcement officers, and parking on the double yellow lines could result in a fine.

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Residents Discounts

The Sovereign Centre offers special rates and discounts for certain activities to all visitors who have a Sovereign Centre Eastbourne resident card.  You are eligible if you pay your council tax to Eastbourne Borough Council, bring your council tax bill, or a utilities bill no older than 12 months to the Sovereign Centre where you will be issued with your card.

 

Peak and Off Peak Pricing

Prices are Peak during School and Bank holidays and peak prices apply for the session you are due to enter.  For example if you arrive at 09:15 you will be charged the peak price as you enter the water for 09:30.

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How do I know if it is a School Holiday?

You can see the term dates for East Sussex County Council here https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/education-learning/term-dates

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Pool Ratio Policy

Wave session

Children aged 4-7 years must be accompanied by an adult (i.e. over the age of 16 years) on a maximum of a 2:1 ratio. Children under the age of 4 years must be accompanied by an adult on a maximum of a 1:1 ratio, we advise that they wear approved buoyancy aids.  

Family Swim session

Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult on a maximum of a 2:1 ratio, we advise that they wear approved buoyancy aids.  Please look out for these sessions on our timetables below and attend the appropriate session if you wish to attend on a 2:1 ratio.

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Scooters/Skates 

Electric Scooters are not permitted inside the building. 

All other scooters and skates can be carried into the building by centre users only.  

Non centre users and those just using toilets/café are not permitted to enter the building with scooters or skates.

 

Suitable Swimwear and Equipment

In the interests of hygiene & safety, please ensure you wear suitable swimwear & use appropriate equipment when using the swimming pool.  Suitable swimwear includes:

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• Swimming costumes

• Lycra (or similar material) Leggings

• Bikinis

• Tankinis

• Lycra (or similar material), close fitting full-body swim suits

• Swimming trunks

• Swim shorts (above knee)

• Burqinis

• Rash Vests

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Swimwear should be of a suitable material, i.e. not get excessively heavy, loose or become transparent when wet. Please also note that babies are required to wear swim nappies.

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Attire that is not suitable includes:

• Cut-off jeans

• Underwear

• Three quarter length trousers

• Swimwear with zips, studs or buckles

• T-shirts / tops

• Thongs or G-strings

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Please also note that the use of fins, snorkels, mermaid tails and other swim aids may be restricted in general, public swim sessions. Please contact reception for further information and times when the use of such equipment is permitted.  If you require any more information, or would like to discuss any of the above, please ask to speak to a Duty Manager.

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Flume Rules

• You must be a minimum of 1M tall to ride our flume

• All bathers must ride on their backs, feet first

• Cross arms over chest, with hands touching shoulders

• Do not attempt to kneel or stand

• You must not attempt to stop yourself in the flume and do not hold onto the sides

• Walk out of the catch immediately as you come to a stop

• Do not re-enter the flume or aqua catch

• No goggles, jewellery or locker keys are to be worn

• No buoyancy aids of any kind permitted on the flume

• No dual riding; only one person at a time is permitted, this includes children on adult laps.

• Do not commence your ride until permitted

• Always listen to the lifeguards

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Lost Property

We can only hold lost property for one week and some items may not be stored due to hygeine reasons.  Please contact the centre promptly to recover lost property.

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I-Go and Care for the Carers

We are a part of both the I-Go and Care for the Carers schemes.

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I-Go members can show their cards to be able to enter on the discounted disabled swim rate or gym rate.  One carer can go free with the paying I-Go member.  Please note that the carer is there for support and may not use the gym equipment themselves when entering for free.  The carer may use the pool in order to support the disabled user.

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Carer for the Carers can holders can show their cards to benefit from 10% off casual gym and swim entry fee's.

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Covid 19 Guidance

We are following the Government and Public Health England operating instructions.  We kindly request that you do not come to the centre if you feel unwell with any Covid 19 symptoms or have tested positive.

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Swimmer Guidance

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Swim Changing

• We recommend arriving swim ready with your costume on under your clothing to speed the process of entry to the pool.  We kindly request that you do shower before entering the pool.

 

Swim Lockers

• No belongings are to be brought poolside and all customers wishing to use the pool must use the lockers provided.  This also includes items left on the window ledge, as this impedes the airflow into the building as well as restricting our ability to clean.

• Lockers are available for 20p per use and are non refundable.

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Lane swimming:

• Lane swimming sessions are for adults and children if they can swim continuous lengths.  No non swimmers can attend these sessions.

• Each lane will have a directional signage at the end to indicate the way that you swim up and back.  Please follow this guidance.

• Lane swimming etiquette:

• People of different standards and abilities will use the pool. Please respect their right to enjoy their swim.  Do not make physical contact with other participants and be courteous to all users.

• Swim in a lane appropriate to your swimming ability/speed.

• Please follow the direction of the lane boards and swim in single file. This will help to prevent accidents and ensure participants can maintain a safe social distance.

• Please do not pass a swimmer mid length.  Faster swimmers should be allowed to pass at the end of each length. The slower swimmer should move to the edge of the lane and allow the swimmer to pass.

• If you are continually being passed or the one doing the passing please consider moving to a slower or faster lane.

• If you need to take a rest, please move to the edge of the lane.

• If using equipment such as kick boards or pull buoys, consider moving to a slower lane temporarily so you do not hinder others swimming full strokes.

• Lifeguards are here for everyone’s safety. If they ask you to adhere to a request please cooperate with them.

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General Member Guidance

Cancelling or Freezing a Membership

We hope you never want to leave us... but if you do need a break from your membership visit our membership freeze and cancellations page for details.

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Gym and Class User Guidance

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Water and Fountains

• We advise that all customer bring a prefilled water bottle with you on each visit. 

• For hygiene and safety reasons the water fountains will only be available to fill bottles, and not to drink from directly. 

• These areas will be cleaned regularly, but please use the sanitiser prior to touching the fountains. 

 

Changing Areas

• Please come in your workout clothes and bring as few personal belongings into the centre as possible. 

 

Workout Classes

• We run classes in both our workout studio, and sports hall.  The studio will be set up for either indoor cycling or yoga, and the sports hall will run all other classes. 

• Please do not enter the sport hall or studio without an instructor present.

 

The Gym

• Please take care and be respectful of other users when moving around this space. 

• We regularly clean our gym equipment throughout the day but also ask that all customers bring a towel, and use the cleaning products provided to wipe down equipment before and after use. 

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Gymnastics Lessons Member Guidance

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General

• Please make sure that you child comes to their lesson with a filled water bottle and their hair tied up. 

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Swimming Lessons Member Guidance

 

General

• Swimming hats are not compulsory, but if you would like your child to wear one, please make sure that its put on before the lesson starts.

• Please make sure that hair is suitably tied up.

• Please use the lockers provided to store any belongings rather than bringing them all to poolside.

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We hope the information we have included here is clear and gives reassurance however if you have any further questions please email eastbourneleisure@lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk

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Terms and Conditions

Statements of Ownership & Liability

 

Disclaimer

Every care has been taken in the compilation and publication of the information on this website. However, The Sovereign Centre/Eastbourne Borough Council will not be held responsible for any loss, damage or inconvenience caused as a result of any inaccuracy or error within these pages.

Please also note that The Sovereign Centre/Eastbourne Borough Council is not responsible for the content or availability of any external sites to which it may include links.

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Privacy

The Sovereign Centre/Eastbourne Borough Council respects the privacy of all site visitors and subsequently complies with all statutory data protection provisions applicable to England and Wales. The information you provide will be used by us to make improvements to the site and to The Sovereign Centre/Eastbourne Borough Council services. Information communicated via the Internet could be detected by third parties and any information you send to us is at your own risk.

For more information on cookies and data protection, please read our Privacy Policy.

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Authentication

Since no authentication of visitors is provided on this site The Sovereign Centre/Eastbourne Borough Council cannot be held responsible for any acts of impersonation and will assume all information submitted is genuine unless there is reason to doubt its authenticity. Should you suspect that a false entry has been made using your identity please contact us and appropriate corrective action will be considered.

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Copyright

Copyright © Eastbourne Borough Council 2020 (except where otherwise stated); all rights reserved.

The copyright of The Soverign Centre/Eastbourne/VisitEastbourne and Eastbourne Borough Council logos is owned by Eastbourne Borough Council. The copyright of all photographs is owned by The Soverign Centre, except where otherwise stated and except those reproduced by kind permission of the photographers credited.

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Applications for permission to reproduce text, photographs or logos contained on this site should be sent to:
The Sovereign Centre

Royal Parade

Eastbourne

BN22 7LQ

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Competition Terms and Conditions

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Monthly Members Gym Challenge

Competition is open to members of The Sovereign Centre only.  Winner will be the person to set the best score in the designated task.  One Male and one Female winner will be chosen per month.  Competition can only be won twice by the same person in any 12-month period, starting from the month first won.  Prize will be one free month of membership on the winners current membership plan.  No cash alternative will be offered.  Closing date for the competition is the last date of each month.  Winners will be announced by the 7th of the following month via Social Media and the board in the gym.  The winners first name only will be shared.  Winners must contact olga.holcakova@lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk directly to claim their prize by the last date of month following entry to the competition (i.e. for a May 2024 competition this must be done by the 30th June 2024).  Failure to claim the prize by the date specified will result in the prize being lost.  All parts subject to change.  The Sovereign Centre, Royal Parade, Eastbourne, BN23 6HP.

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