A disabled man whose "lifeline" leisure centre membership was cancelled fears his health will deteriorate if gym bosses do not honour it. Stuart Letton was getting back on track after years of suffering when doctors referred him to the Prince Regent leisure centre in Brighton for rehabilitation in 2023. But just one year after first dipping into the therapeutic pool and loosening up his joints, Stuart faces going back to square one after leisure bosses rescinded his special membership.
The Prince Regent is the only swimming pool in the city centre The former avionics engineer, from Brighton, was forced out of work due to his severe osteoarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, along with a previous broken hip, which leaves him in extreme pain and using crutches to walk. His GP at a clinic in the city signed him up to a scheme for discounted membership at Freedom Leisure sites such as the Prince Regent for rehabilitation. The 57-year-old said: "I mostly used the swimming pool and light weights in the gym.
"The steam room and sauna were very good for my osteoarthritis. I would go there as often as I possibly could, even though there are some days where I can't even get out of the house." Stuart said the discounted membership changed his life (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus) The weightless swimming therapy took pressure off his injured joints for exercise and Stuart was soon noticing changes in his health and mood.
He said the membership cost him £29.50 per month, a significant.