Come on in - the water’s free

Swimmers bagged free entry to South Ayrshire’s biggest leisure centre because staff were not trained to take cash.

The blunder at Ayr’s Citadel saw customers waved through the turnstiles.

It is the second time in seven months the complex has been left exposed by a staff shortage.

One punter revealed: “I turned up twice in one week and was advised on both occasions by the person at the main desk I didn’t have to pay.

“They said they didn’t have the correct training so nobody had to hand over money.

“I find this startling.

“It’s hard to believe a

15- minute course would not ensure all staff can properly undertake the role to take payments at the main desk.”

The latest free- for- all mirrored farcical scenes last May, when swimmers also gained free entry.

Back then council chiefs blamed a single staff member going on the sick.

Ayr Tory councillor Martin Dowey branded the freebie an“embarrassment”.

He said: “On one hand this council is trying to save millions. On the other it can’t be bothered charging people to use its own services.

“These are just the basics of running an organisation so, let’s be honest, it’s a bit of an embarrassment.”

A council spokesman confirmed the cock- up and said: “Due to an unexpected set of circumstances on January 31 and February 3, we were unable to provide the full range of reception services in the Citadel.

“Access for customers with memberships was not affected.

“For those customers who pay per visit we offered a one- off free entry to help avoid disappointment. We have since introduced a number of contingency measures to ensure that payments can be taken at reception at all times.”