David Lloyd Member Sues Over £8,000 Rolex Stolen From Gym Locker
When Andrew Masters, 64, visited his local David Lloyd gym for a workout, he reasonably expected his belongings to be secure in a locker. However, his trust was shattered when he returned to find his £8,000 Rolex watch and over £100 in cash stolen, leading him to take legal action against the luxury fitness chain.
The Incident at Hampton Branch
Mr Masters, who lives in France but regularly returns to the UK, was exercising at the Hampton branch of David Lloyd on the afternoon of April 23, 2025. A member since February 2025, he pays just under £4,000 annually for a 'platinum' membership shared with his partner.
He secured his locker with a key-operated padlock provided by David Lloyd, placing his Rolex watch in the trouser pocket of his jeans along with tissues and car keys, then rolling the jeans up at the back of the locker with his wallet on top. After a short 30-40 minute workout, he returned to find the locker wide open, the padlock missing, and his valuables gone.
The stolen items included:
- An £8,000 Rolex watch he had owned for 32-and-a-half years
- €50 and £60 in cash from his wallet
Gym's Response and Legal Action
Mr Masters immediately reported the theft to reception, where he says staff told him calling the police was "not their job" and he would have to do so himself. He described the staff's attitude as "totally blasé" and "indifferent."
Despite CCTV review, David Lloyd found nothing suspicious and forwarded footage to police without allowing Mr Masters to view it. An email from the assistant manager apologized for the inconvenience but reiterated no suspicious activity was detected.
With no resolution offered and the watch not covered by insurance due to the theft occurring at the gym, Mr Masters decided to pursue legal action. He is now taking the club to small claims court for approximately £8,000, seeking reimbursement for the watch and stolen cash.
"We are suing David Lloyd for negligence," Mr Masters explained. "The day of the theft, their IT systems were down, so they did not know who was entering and exiting the gym. Also, when I highlighted that it was a lock supplied by David Lloyd that was broken into, they said that just because they sold me the padlock, it does not mean the locker is actually safe."
Sentimental Loss and Security Concerns
The loss extends beyond financial value for Mr Masters. The Rolex was purchased as a belated thirtieth birthday present and held significant sentimental value as a planned family heirloom for his older son.
He expressed disappointment with David Lloyd's handling of the situation, particularly noting the Hampton branch lacks warning signs about leaving valuables in lockers—something he has seen at other gyms and David Lloyd branches.
"I feel very let down by David Lloyd," he said. "I am still a member, however, will not be bringing any items of value in future."
Broader Pattern of Thefts
Unfortunately, Mr Masters' experience is not isolated. The Mail recently reported on dentist Amir Savage, who had an £18,000 limited-edition Rolex 'Pepsi' stolen from a locker at a David Lloyd branch in Farnham while he relaxed in the sauna.
Dr Savage echoed similar concerns, stating: "It is a case of this should have been prevented by the gym. You don't expect to go to a gym, put your wallet, your credit cards, and your watch in a locker, and with a lock that's supplied by the company, only for it to be picked."
David Lloyd's Statement
A spokesperson for David Lloyd Clubs said: "We are very sorry to hear about Mr Masters' experience. We take the safety and security of our members and their belongings extremely seriously, and we are sorry to hear about Mr Masters' experience. We always work closely with both members and the police, taking a proactive approach where we are aware of any incidents and supporting investigations. As this matter is now subject to legal proceedings, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time."
Mr Masters' claim is currently at the allocation stage, where a judge assigns defended cases typically under £10,000 to the small claims track. He hopes the process will force the club to reimburse his losses and address security concerns for all members.
