Gym change of membership terms - what rights?

smg0102

Hi all,
I'm after a bit of advice...
We have a family membership with what was Roko Gyms, who have now been taken over by Everlast. The main driver of the family membership was for our 14 year old son who is a big swimmer at the gym, and was able to attend the gym between certain hours by himself. 
Everlast have done a complete refurb of the gym, which is great it must be said, but unbeknown to us they have also introduced new rules whereby u16s are not allowed in the centre without an adult. Which at 6.30am this morning when DS went for a swim, was quite a shock and disappointment! 

I'm speaking with the manager later, but this in effect makes our family membership pointless for, logistically our son just will not go if he has to be accompanied by one of us, but I'm keen to know what our "rights" are? Are we able to cancel his part of the membership? Do we need to cancel the full membership (if allowed)? My fear is they will force us to "recontract" at the inevitable higher prices since Everlast took over. 

Any helpful thoughts greatly appreciated!
Thanks
Steve

user1977

What does the contract say about cancellation (by you)? If you're able to avoid the new restrictions (or higher prices) by walking away from the contract, that's likely to be seen as reasonable, if annoying.

MyRealNameToo

smg0102 said:

I'm after a bit of advice...
We have a family membership with what was Roko Gyms, who have now been taken over by Everlast. The main driver of the family membership was for our 14 year old son who is a big swimmer at the gym, and was able to attend the gym between certain hours by himself. 
Everlast have done a complete refurb of the gym, which is great it must be said, but unbeknown to us they have also introduced new rules whereby u16s are not allowed in the centre without an adult. Which at 6.30am this morning when DS went for a swim, was quite a shock and disappointment! 

I'm speaking with the manager later, but this in effect makes our family membership pointless for, logistically our son just will not go if he has to be accompanied by one of us, but I'm keen to know what our "rights" are? Are we able to cancel his part of the membership? Do we need to cancel the full membership (if allowed)? My fear is they will force us to "recontract" at the inevitable higher prices since Everlast took over. 

Any helpful thoughts greatly appreciated!

First of all, read your contract...

Is the access for 14yo on their own in the contract itself?
What rights does the gym have to vary the clauses? You'd expect it with X months notice
What rights does the gym have to vary prices mid contract? 
With either of the above does it trigger a right for you to cancel?

What are you general cancellation rights?
When does your contract renew?

Mark_d

The rights you have are largely defined by what is in the contract, though I expect the gym should be agreeable to some negotiation as previously your son could use the pool on his own and now he can't.

Is it possible that your son should never have been allowed to swim unsupervised in the pool...despite this not being enforced?

Arunmor

I would just carry on as you have been and say nothing until they do.  I assume he is well known for the times he keeps.

Wonka_2

smg0102 said:

 
Everlast have done a complete refurb of the gym, which is great it must be said

Lucky you in having a refurb - all we’ve got is broken promises, a decimated staff and removal of all the positives there used to be. 

A straw poll suggests membership has halfed in our gym since the takeover 😱

la531983

Arunmor said:

I would just carry on as you have been and say nothing until they do.  I assume he is well known for the times he keeps.

Looks like the OPs son already got caught out by it, reading the first post.