Dozens of gym users have been hit with £100 fines after controversial changes to the use of its car park.

Various members at PureGym Crayford, near Dartford, were caught out by the new scheme and have refused to pay the costly charges.

After opening in April last year gym-goers were originally free to come and go as they pleased.

But in September a new operator took charge of the Tower Retail Park site and members were required to register their numbers plates during each session.

The message failed to get through to some users however who were shocked to receive £100 fines in the post – reduced to £60 if paid within two weeks.

Angry members say they were not properly informed of the changes with some receiving emails weeks after the ANPR cameras were installed.

PureGym says the signage has always been clearly displayed and advises members to follow the instructions to avoid being fined by operator, Countrywide Parking.

But Christopher Devine, who lives in West Hill, Dartford, has now cancelled his membership over the parking row and says he is not alone.

Due to an injury he did not attend the gym between September and January and so claims he was unaware of the new restrictions, only receiving a ticket on January 14 after his first visit back.

He said: "PureGym members at Crayford have enjoyed free parking outside the gym since opening in early 2021.

"However a new parking firm has started ticketing members of the gym who have either forgotten or were unaware of new restrictions requiring them to register their number plate during each visit."

Although there is signage on site, Chris claims it is "vague" and does not specifically tell users where to log their car details – and instead just points them to see additional material in the gym.

But inside he says parking posts are "very easy to miss" and difficult to distinguish from promotional material and Covid QR code posters.

The 41-year-old local authority worker added: "There is no signage 'inside the gym' placed by the parking firm, Countrywide Parking, itself.

"As such, Countrywide Parking have been ticketing dozens if not hundred of members, myself included.

"It seems they are making most of their money from members who are not aware of the system."

He also says he never received an email from PureGym about the regime changes either despite the rule change occurring months after his visit.

"If the gym had sent me an email and I had missed it I would have paid it but they didn't," he added.

After raising his complaint with the manager Chris claims she told him she had been receiving "at least 10 complaints every day" since September and were losing members.

"It seems they are making most of their money from members who are not aware of the system..."

He was then told the gym was unable to assist in overturning any fines and recommended to follow the appeals process.

But after the appeal was rejected earlier this month Chris said he refused to pay and cancelled his membership.

Chris has since been contacted by PureGym to inform him the fine has been cancelled but no reason was given.

Listed on the gym's Google page –where it holds a 4.3 rating and various good reviews – are also dozens of complaints from members over the same issue.

One former member posted: "Good gym, well maintained and clean but the parking policy has caused me a £60 fine.

"I will be moving to another gym, the fear of forgetting to log your entry every time you visit isn't needed."

Whilst another added: "Drop by on the 15th to make enquiry for the membership and check out the facility, today I am getting a parking ticket just for this? Definitely not worth the effort."

A PureGym spokesman said: "PureGym wants to make coming to the gym as hassle-free as possible, which is why we try to offer parking options for our members.

"At our Crayford gym all information and instruction about the parking process are very clearly displayed both internally and externally at the gym.

"After parking, members are required to input their registration details into the tablet situated near the entrance to the gym.

"We understand that some members have incurred parking fines so we urge members to follow these instructions to avoid any fines."

Countrywide Parking was approached for comment.