Virgin Active Transfer of Contract

Moonwolf

Hi

I have had a Virgin Active Diamond Membership for over 12 years.  This is a rolling 12 month contract that is guaranteed never to rise in price for "life".  I have to cancel at least a month before the annual renewal date in November or I have to pay the next 12 months fees.

Clearly as I have had it for a few years it has become better and better value (I've always been clear of the risk and had 12 months fees in savings).  A new membership with my current access would start at around £20 a month more than I pay at the moment.  This is a gym with a pool, typically I use the gym for 120-150 sessions in a year including the pool (I'd use it more but I road run and cycle as well). I haven't used it during COVID and of course it has been shut a lot of the time.

I've just been told the gym and my membership is transferring to Bannantyne's

I assume that Bannatyne can't put up my membership and insist on the rolling element of the contract, ie if they want to change the terms, I can cancel immediately.

However will I have to just wait and see what they want to do with my current contract or is it reasonable for me to expect my existing contract to continue?  FWIW the contract does seem to allow Virgin an out at their end although it appears to be in "exceptional circumstances".

Aylesbury_Duck

I think the key term here is "transfer", and the exact nature of that transfer.  If it's a genuine transfer, then the terms and conditions should just carry across and remain the same.  If the transfer involves the cessation of the old contract and the start of a new one, the terms are unlikely to be the same.  They can't tie you in to new terms without your consent.

Moonwolf

Aylesbury_Duck said:

I think the key term here is "transfer", and the exact nature of that transfer.  If it's a genuine transfer, then the terms and conditions should just carry across and remain the same.  If the transfer involves the cessation of the old contract and the start of a new one, the terms are unlikely to be the same.  They can't tie you in to new terms without your consent.

Thanks, I've tried to contact the gym but I can't get through and I suspect they won't know anyway.  I think this is a case of wait and see.  Worst case is they put it up so much I'm forced to change gyms.