Bury's leisure centres will be making a digital move next month with the addition of self-service kiosks and automated gates after customer complaints about queues.
Radcliffe, Ramsbottom and Bury leisure centres will make the changes in mid-April but users are being assured that "digital first" does not mean "digital only".
Cllr Tamoor Tariq, cabinet member for adult care, health and wellbeing at the council, said: “We aim to provide high quality leisure services, in a modern way that is convenient for our many visitors.
“Like many council services, we are moving to digital wherever appropriate.
"But this will not exclude those who prefer the current arrangements.”
Members of the public who do not wish to book or pay online will have the option to book, join or pay from inside the leisure centres.
Cllr Tariq added: “Leisure members will receive their own RFID (radio-frequency identification) wristband which will give them easy access to the leisure centre through the automated gates and into different spaces in the centres.
“Non-members will be able to use the self-service kiosks in the foyer areas or seek help from a member of staff if they wish to pay in cash.”
The decision to go digital has been made following customer complaints about queues at the reception desks and over the phone.
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As a result, requests were made to improve website functionality, improve the leisure centres' computer system, bring in an app, and add self-service kiosks in the foyer.
Cllr Tariq said: “We have listened to this feedback and are investing in the future of our leisure centres in line with customer expectations.”
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The changes will take place in mid-April once the new technology has been installed.
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