Cancel Places for Leisure the easy way

Overview

Places for Leisure is the consumer-facing leisure and fitness arm operated by Places for People Leisure Limited. The business runs municipal and community leisure centres offering gym access, swimming, classes and digital fitness services across the United Kingdom.

Services provided

Memberships include gym access, group classes, swimming sessions, app booking and virtual workouts. Plans range from Pay as you go to annual and monthly Direct Debit memberships.

Company facts

Website form

1. Open the membership or contact section at https://www.placesleisure.org/membership/.
2. Locate the cancellation or membership form and fill in your membership details and reason.
3. Submit the form and save or screenshot the confirmation screen and any reference number.
4. Expect a confirmation email; keep it for your records.

Places Leisure App (iOS / Android)

1. Open the Places Leisure app and sign in to your account.
2. Go to the member area or bookings section and find the membership settings.
3. Choose cancel membership or cancel specific class/activity and follow on-screen prompts.
4. Save the in-app confirmation; if you do not receive one, follow up by email at [email protected].

Phone

1. Locate the phone number for your local Places Leisure centre on the Places Leisure site.
2. Call during centre opening hours and tell staff you want to cancel your membership.
3. Ask the agent to send written confirmation to your email address and record the agent name and date/time of the call.

Email

1. Compose an email to [email protected] with your full name, membership number, centre and the date you want cancellation to take effect.
2. Request written confirmation and keep the reply email.

Post (registered letter)

1. Write a signed cancellation letter including your full name, membership number, centre and requested cancellation date.
2. Send by registered post to Places for Leisure, 305 Gray's Inn Road, WC1X 8QR London, United Kingdom.
3. Keep the postal receipt and wait for written confirmation.

Moving address - relocation

Rule: If you move outside a reasonable travel distance to the centre, Places Leisure accepts relocation as a ground for ending certain membership contracts. Required proof: signed tenancy agreement, solicitor letter, or utility bill showing new address. Applicable law: Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 for off-premises contracts when applicable.

Price increase

Rule: If Places Leisure increases membership direct debit charges during your contract, you can cancel if the change is material under the terms. Required proof: the membership change notification from Places Leisure and your original terms. Applicable law: Consumer Rights Act 2015 on unfair contract terms and CMA guidance on auto-renewal and changes.

Death of the subscriber

Rule: Cancellation for the death of a member is accepted. Required proof: death certificate and proof of identity for the person requesting cancellation. Applicable law: Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 where relevant.

Legitimate grounds accepted by Places Leisure

Rule: Places Leisure accepts cancellation for medical reasons, relocation, or death where evidence is provided. Required proof: medical certificate, relocation documents, or death certificate. Applicable law: Consumer Rights Act 2015 for service quality and CMA guidance on fair contract terms.

End of commitment (Minimum Term)

Rule: Direct Debit memberships with a Minimum Term (for example 12-month plans) usually require payments for the Minimum Term. After the Minimum Term you must give 15 days' notice before the next Direct Debit payment to cancel. Required proof: membership account details and confirmation of desired cancellation date. Applicable law: Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 where the 14-day cooling-off period applied at sign-up.

Cooling-off period (14 days)

Rule: For contracts concluded online or off-premises, you have a 14-day right to cancel and obtain a full refund of the initial payment, including joining fee, provided you notify Places Leisure within 14 days. Exceptions: if you started using digital content after expressly consenting, or if services were supplied immediately with your consent. Required proof: date of contract and payment record. Applicable law: Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013.

Before you cancel: negotiate

Retention options reported: Places Leisure offers membership conversions and concession pricing for eligible groups. Specific known offers include converting between Flexi Direct Debit and other membership types, concession rates from £30 per month for eligible members and occasional no joining fee promotions. Use the membership contact route and ask for conversion to a cheaper plan, a concession if eligible, or a freeze where available. Reference the membership FAQ at https://www.placesleisure.org/faqs/memberships-payments/.

What canceling saves you - yearly math

Example 1 - Premium Flexi Direct Debit at from £40 per month: 40 GBP x 12 = £480 per year.

Example 2 - Premium Concessions at from £30 per month: 30 GBP x 12 = £360 per year.

Cheapest competitor example from research - Absolute Fitness UK at £21.99 per month: 21.99 GBP x 12 = £263.88 per year.

Yearly saving switching from Premium (£480) to Absolute Fitness (£263.88): 480 - 263.88 = £216.12 saved per year.

Relevant UK law

The key laws and regulators are the Consumer Contracts (Cancellation, Information and Additional Payments) Regulations 2013 and the Consumer Rights Act 2015. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) also oversees unfair terms such as hard-to-cancel subscriptions.

Cooling-off and refunds

Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 you have a 14-day cooling-off right for most online or off-premises contracts. Places Leisure provides a full refund of the initial payment, including joining fee, if you cancel within 14 days. Exceptions appear for digital content once access starts.

Escalation steps

If Places Leisure refuses a lawful cancellation or refund: 1) Complain to Places Leisure in writing. 2) Seek guidance from Citizens Advice. 3) Use card chargeback or Section 75 for qualifying card payments. The CMA can be alerted for suspected widespread unfair contract terms.

Check access and payments

Keep any confirmation email showing the date your membership ends. Your access remains until the effective cancellation date, typically the next Direct Debit after 15 days' notice.

Data and account

Request deletion or retention of your account data via [email protected]. Ask for a copy of your payment history if you need it for refunds or disputes.

Re-activation and re-joining

If you rejoin within 30 days you may be charged a joining fee unless Places Leisure specifically waived it. Confirm any rejoining terms before signing up again.

Before you cancel, complete the following checklist to protect yourself and minimise costs.

• Find your membership number and Direct Debit reference.
• Decide the method of cancellation: website form, app, email or registered post.
• If you have a Minimum Term, check the end date and plan for 15 days' notice before the next Direct Debit.
• Take screenshots or save confirmation emails after cancellation.
• If cancelling for medical, relocation or bereavement reasons, gather the required documents: medical certificate, tenancy/utility bill, or death certificate.
• Check whether you are eligible for concession pricing at £30 per month.
• Keep postal receipts and call records if you used phone or post.