Gym membership - coronavirus

Can gyms extend your gym membership due to the period of closure during lockdown? My membership was due to end in September but I have been told that my contract has been extended until the end of January now. 
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Comments

  • Did you pay for the closure period? That was the alternative...
  • I wasn’t given that option. The gym was completely closed during lockdown and did not respond to any emails. 
  • So you would have preferred to have paid for a gym membership in the months the gym was closed if you were given the option?
  • GilmoreGirl
    GilmoreGirl Posts: 24 Forumite
    Third Anniversary 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 24 September 2020 at 5:46PM
    I think you should be able to quit the membership. What if you were a student for just one year in a city? Is it a chain or a local gym?
  • Can gyms extend your gym membership due to the period of closure during lockdown? My membership was due to end in September but I have been told that my contract has been extended until the end of January now. 
     

    I think that yes, they can


  • tripled
    tripled Posts: 2,881 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    It would depending on the wording of the contract. What does it say about unplanned/forced closures or events outside their control?
  • jon81uk
    jon81uk Posts: 3,877 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    If you were expected to make 12 payments when you signed up, it seems reasonable that they still expect you to make 12 payments.

    But as others state it depends exactly what your terms are.

    My gym is a one month rolling contract so no worries at all.
  • I was going to ask the same question 
  • unholyangel
    unholyangel Posts: 16,866 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 2 October 2020 at 12:03PM
    No, they can't extend your minimum or fixed period except with your express agreement. 

    The fact their breach was outside of their control only means they can potentially escape liability for damages, it doesn't mean they get to vary the contract to their benefit regardless of any detriment to you. 
    You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means - Inigo Montoya, The Princess Bride
  • No, they can't extend your minimum or fixed period except with your express agreement. 

    The fact their breach was outside of their control only means they can potentially escape liability for damages, it doesn't mean they get to vary the contract to their benefit regardless of any detriment to you. 
    This is what I'm thinking. They don't have a copy of my contract (😆) so what do I do? I'm dealing with Ashbourne Management so if I just stop the DD they will keep bullying me and add escalating late fees which I don't really fancy. I probably would have stuck it out with the gym as the lockdown wasn't their fault. But when they send the kind of letters that make your hair fall out just because your address has changed and the direct debit didn't go through. I just want out. Is there someone I can complain to?
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