Gym membership cancellation

Weleno

Hi there,
I have been a member of a gym for a while (I used to have complimentary membership because my family worked there, but I started a policy when she left so that I could continue using the facilities) but have had to cancel my membership this summer due to relocating with work.
I spoke to the manager of the health club (who has now incidentally left and I cannot trace him!) before cancelling and he said it wouldn't be a problem - just to write a letter to confirm it one month prior to cancelling my DD. I did this, all correctly and gave lots of praise to the club as I did so.
4 months on, I have received no correspondence from the gym, but a letter from a debt collector saying I owe £200 in unpaid membership fees!!!!!!! I rang them immediately saying that I cancelled legitimately, and forwarded a copy of the letter which I initially gave to the club.
The debt collectors are now saying that my cancellation letter was never received in the first place, and that I still owe the money.
What can I do?
I feel like I am being really unfairly treated as I did everything according to the book. I'm being made to feel like a criminal and I honestly know I haven't done anything wrong. :mad:
Do I have any rights? Surely they can't claim this money off me after all?
Please help!

Amistoso_2

How did they get your new address if you'd moved?

Gym's are sinonimus for "losing" cancelation letters, you should have sent it recorded delivery. to be honest if you can't do anything to back up your claims then you'll probably end up having to pay I'm afraid.

Weleno

I haven't moved house, just moved work location.

Now that I commute for 3.5 hours every day, I would never have made it to my old gym to make the classes in time. I have switched to a gym local to work so I can use it during lunch hours. I don't get as long to enjoy the place, but hey ho its better than nothing!!

I never actually posted the letter to the gym - I handed it in at reception. Because I never received any further correspondence from them, I assumed that they didn't need anything more from me.

I feel really hard done by - is there nothing I can do?

Amistoso_2

I don't know about your gym but I don't think mine would take that as a reason to cancel the membership, you could still use it at weekends and on days off etc. They may turn around and say that they can't take your word for it that the previous manager said that it was OK to do this.
I know it seems a bit harsh bit it sadly looks like you may be lumbered with paying up. Unless someone else on here has previous experience of this and can give their viewpoint...