Male members accuse gym chain David Lloyd of 'discrimination' as it refuses to scrap women-only spa sessions over 'religious reasons'

David Lloyd's Purley branch in Croydon has set aside every Thursday between 6pm and 8pm as a women-only period in its spa, following complaints from some female members who cited religious grounds for being unable to share the facilities with men. Male members, some paying up to £200 a month, say they received only four or five days' notice, have seen no reduction in their fees, and have been told the policy will not be reversed despite their objections. A member survey showed 75 per cent of the first 82 respondents wanted mixed-sex access reinstated.

Members accuse the club of breaching equality laws, which prohibit indirect discrimination against individuals on grounds of sex.

No equivalent men-only session has been offered, and couples' members say the ban stops them using the spa together during peak hours.

Sam, 50, a member for 15 years, said there had been 'hardly any communication at all' before the sessions began.