Access Control

Digital Access with Gladstone: Everything you need to know

3 min read

12-Feb-2026 11:00:01

2:59

If you manage a leisure centre, access matters most when it slows people down.

Cards get forgotten. Tickets are buried in emails. Reception teams end up fixing access when people just want to get in and get moving.

Digital access is designed to make entry quicker, without forcing you to change everything else around it.

See how this could work for your centre

What do we mean by digital access?

Digital access is simply a quicker way for people to get through the turnstiles.

Instead of juggling membership cards, booking emails or tickets, access lives on a phone, usually in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, ready to scan.

It works the same way at the entry point:

Members scan a digital pass instead of a physical card.
Casual or pay-as-you-go users scan a digital ticket for activities like family swim, casual gym, or group badminton.

They don't need to search emails or explain what they've booked. They just scan and move through.

Website - Digital Tickets & Passes Mockup for Blog (Transparent Background)

Can it be tailored to how you operate?

Yes. Digital access with Gladstone isn't all-or-nothing.

Once enabled for a site, you can choose how to use it.

Some operators introduce digital membership passes only, replacing plastic cards.

Others choose to use digital tickets for pay-as-you-go or activity bookings, without changing how memberships work.

And some use both.

The setup reflects how your centre operates today and can evolve if your approach changes.

How this fits with your app

If you already use a mobile app for bookings, digital access doesn't replace it.

Members keep booking the way they always have. The digital pass is simply the quickest way through the turnstiles.

Casual users don't need the app at all; their digital ticket gets them through just as quickly.

Will it still look like your organisation?

Yes. Digital tickets and passes can be branded with your logo, colours, centre and activity names. So when someone opens up their wallet, they instantly recognise your brand.

What do members need to do at the turnstiles?

Your turnstiles or entry points need to be able to scan QR codes or NFC passes. Many centres already have compatible scanners or turnstiles in place. If not, we can help you upgrade or introduce the necessary hardware in phases. Your Account Manager is able to help you work through what makes sense based on your current setup.

Will people adopt it?

At Volair, 79% of members downloaded their digital pass within the first month of launch.

Some people adopted it immediately. Others took a little longer. But once they used it, they found it much quicker than what they had before.

The takeaway

Digital access with Gladstone gives members and casual users the fastest way through the turnstiles, reduces pressure on front-of-house teams, and adapts to how your centre already operates.

Want to see how this could look for your centre?

Tell us a bit about your current setup by filling out the form below, and your Account Manager will get in touch to talk you through your options.

Tell us about your setup

Not quite ready to talk just yet? Here are a few questions we're often asked.

A few questions we're often asked

A digital pass is typically used for memberships, giving members ongoing access to your facilities. Digital tickets are used for classes, activities and one-off bookings. Both are accessed securely from a member’s phone using Apple or Google Wallet.

No. Members don’t need to download an app. Digital tickets and passes are added directly to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, so there’s nothing extra for them to manage.

That's a great question! Digital tickets & passes are designed to complement your app by making access even faster.

Stored in Apple or Google Wallet, they allow users to tap in instantly using NFC or QR, without opening the app.

They’re also ideal for casual and group bookings, as tickets can be easily shared with people who don’t have the app installed.

This is a common concern. What we see in practice is that once members are shown how to add their pass, confidence builds quickly. Even members who were initially hesitant often say they find it easier than carrying a physical card.

Yes. For classes, activities and one-off bookings, digital tickets can be shared easily at the end of the booking journey, making it simple for members to book for friends or family.

Once you tell us about your setup, your Account Manager will review the details and be in touch with a quote that’s relevant to your organisation. There’s no obligation, it’s simply the next step in understanding whether this is right for you.

Yes. Each pass or ticket is unique and linked to live data, helping ensure access is verified at the point of entry.

Yes. Digital tickets and passes work across council-run facilities, universities, charities and independent operators. The setup adapts to how you already operate.