You spot the prices, we ask the questions: Ann-Marie Lenihan, a reader from Dublin, recently considered joining the David Lloyd Riverview fitness complex, in Clonskeagh.
Although she thought the facilities were very good, she felt the club was also quite expensive. It costs €1,150 to join and €135 a month to remain a member. This gives access to the centre's gym, pool, classes and racket courts.
So Lenihan checked out the prices at David Lloyd's leisure centres in the UK. In Edinburgh the joining fee is £30 (€44) with a monthly fee of £70 (€102) for full access. In Belfast the joining fee is £100 (€146) with a general-fitness monthly fee of £57 (€83), not including racket sports. In Birmingham the joining fee is normally £75 (€110); the current special-offer price is £25 (€37). Its general-fitness monthly fee is £56 (€82).
In Kensington, in south-west London - probably one of the world's most expensive property areas - the joining fee is normally £200 (€293); its special-offer price is £30 (€44). The monthly fee is £88.50 (€130).
The director of David Lloyd Riverview, Paul Taylor, says: "It is unreasonable to compare our prices to other facilities in other areas of the UK and Ireland. Clubs vary by location and type of facilities, and David Lloyd Riverview offers the best facilities tailored and priced to local market conditions.
"This pricing strategy is borne out by the fact that we will shortly need to move various types of memberships to a waiting-list system to ensure we do not overfill our club.
"The price levels we have set clearly reflect demand and the level of investment we have made in the club and its facilities."
He adds that David Lloyd Riverview has not increased its joining fee since the club opened, in 1990.
PriceWatch reckons that the emergence of many competitors in the leisure and fitness market might also have something to do with the last point. For these prices the Dublin facilities must be second to none - including other David Lloyd centres.
What's more...
Black and white film
A PriceWatch reader, Karen Mulchinock, has been comparing prices for a 36-exposure roll of Kodak T-Max 400, a professional black-and-white film. They vary considerably, she says. Camera Centre's branch on Grafton Street in Dublin charges €8.99. Camera Exchange's South Great George's Street shop is a few cent cheaper, at €8.95. But Conns Cameras, on Clarendon Street, charges €6.50, Bermingham Cameras, on Burgh Quay, charges €5.90 (no longer in stock), and John Gunn, on Wexford Street, charges just €4.80.
If you notice a significant price increase or discrepancy, let us know by e-mailing pricewatch@irish-times.ie
