Cancel Places Gym the easy way

Overview

Places Gym is the leisure/gym operation run under the Places Leisure network providing gym access, classes and membership options across several centres in the UK. The organisation markets gym and swimming access, class booking via the Places Leisure app and membership tiers such as Premium and Student plans.

Who it serves

Places Gym targets people seeking fitness equipment, structured classes, motivation and occasional one-to-one support sessions. The service offers concession rates for students and selected groups.

Company facts

Web (online form)

1. Open the official membership FAQ and cancellation page: Places Leisure memberships & payments.
2. Find and complete the member change request or cancellation form linked on that page.
3. Include your membership details, centre name and reason for cancellation. Submit the form and keep a screenshot of the confirmation page.
4. If you joined online and are within 14 days, state you are cancelling under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 to request a full refund.

Places Leisure App (iOS / Android)

1. Open the Places Leisure App and log in with your account credentials.
2. Go to account settings or membership and choose member change or cancellation.
3. Follow prompts and submit the request; take screenshots of each confirmation screen.
4. If you need further proof, request an email confirmation from your centre after submission.

In person / Centre Manager

1. Attend your centre and request a member change request form addressed to the Manager.
2. Complete the form, sign it and ask the Manager to stamp or sign a copy as proof.
3. Retain the signed copy and photograph the receipt. Ask for written confirmation by email.

Post (recorded delivery)

1. Write a signed cancellation letter including your full name, membership number, centre and date of birth.
2. Send it by Recorded Delivery or Signed For to: Places Gym, St. John's Road, Clapham Junction, SW11 1BB London, United Kingdom.
3. Keep the delivery receipt as proof and allow 15 days for processing.

Cooling-off cancellations (first 14 days)

1. If you joined online or off-premises, write to the Manager at your centre within 14 days stating you cancel under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013.
2. Send by email or post and keep evidence of sending. On cancellation you are entitled to a full refund of initial payments including joining fee if you returned services before cancellation were not unduly consumed.
3. Expect refunds to your bank within 10 working days once processed by Places Leisure.

Moving - relocation 15 miles or more

Places Leisure accepts cancellation if you move 15 miles or more from the centre. You must provide documentary evidence such as a new tenancy agreement, utility bill or driving licence showing the new address. The right to cancel on this ground is set out in Places Leisure membership terms.

Applicable law

Consumer Rights Act 2015 - unfair terms protection applies if the contract refuses reasonable relocation exceptions.

Price increase

If Places Leisure increases membership fees during your Minimum Term you may be able to cancel without penalty. Provide a copy of the notification of price increase if requested.

Applicable law

Consumer Rights Act 2015 protections against disproportionate contract terms apply.

Medical condition

Cancellation during the Minimum Term is accepted for a new medical condition that prevents gym use. You must submit written evidence from a GP or consultant. Places Leisure requires documentary evidence to approve early termination.

Required proof

Medical letter, GP note or consultant report stating the condition and effective date.

Redundancy

If you are made redundant Places Leisure accepts cancellation during the Minimum Term with documentary evidence such as a redundancy letter from your employer.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy is accepted as a legitimate ground during the Minimum Term if you provide relevant medical or midwife documentation.

Failure of facility standards or unreasonable alteration of operating hours

If Places Leisure materially reduces services, alters operating hours unreasonably, or fails to provide the agreed standard, you may cancel during the Minimum Term. Provide written records, dates and written correspondence showing the problem.

Death of the subscriber

In the event of the member's death, immediate cancellation is allowed. Next of kin or the estate should provide a death certificate to the centre to stop further charges and request refund of any fees paid in advance for periods after cancellation.

End of commitment

After the Minimum Term expires, Places Leisure requires at least 15 days' notice before the next payment date to cancel. Submit a member change request form or written notice to avoid the next direct debit.

Cooling-off (14 days)

If you signed up online or off-premises you have a statutory 14-day cooling-off period under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013. Provide written notice to the centre Manager within 14 days of joining to request a full refund of initial payments including any joining fee.

Applicable law summary

Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 - 14-day cooling-off for off-premises/online contracts. Consumer Rights Act 2015 - services must be performed with reasonable care and skill and unfair terms are not binding.

Before you cancel - negotiate

Research contains no published evidence of standard retention offers from Places Gym. If you want to try to keep a cheaper rate, request a member retention discussion at your centre or ask via the member change request form. When you ask, state a competing price you have found and request either a concession rate or a freeze for a set period. Keep all responses in writing.

What cancelling saves - compute annual savings

Use actual advertised plans to calculate yearly cost and savings if you cancel. Examples from Places Leisure pricing:

• Student / Places Gym (Preston) at £26 per month: 26 x 12 = £312 per year.
• Premium (Edinburgh) at £40 per month: 40 x 12 = £480 per year.
• Premium annual advertised from £400 per year: annual payment = £400 per year.
• Premium Concessions from £30 per month: 30 x 12 = £360 per year.
• Example saving if cancelling a Premium monthly plan at £40 and switching to an annual Premium at £400: £480 - £400 = £80 saved per year.

Cheapest real alternative (budget comparison): The Gym Group often advertises entry-level memberships near £12.99 per month. Using that as a comparator: switching from Places Gym Student at £26 to The Gym Group at £12.99 saves 26 - 12.99 = £13.01 per month, 13.01 x 12 = £156.12 per year.

Key laws and regulator

United Kingdom consumer protections relevant to gym memberships include the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 (14-day cooling-off period for online or off-premises contracts) and the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (services must be performed with reasonable care and skill; unfair contract terms are not binding). Citizens Advice provides guidance and support for disputes.

Cooling-off and refunds

If you cancel within 14 days of signing an off-premises or online contract you are entitled to a full refund under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013. If you requested services to begin during the cooling-off period the business can deduct the cost of services provided up to the cancellation date - see Citizens Advice guidance: Citizens Advice - cancelling a service.

Auto-renewal and hard-to-cancel practices

The Competition and Markets Authority treats unclear auto-renewal and hard-to-cancel subscriptions as potential unfair practices. If Places Gym continues to take payments after you followed the published cancellation process, you can raise the issue with your card issuer for chargeback or Section 75 where applicable, and seek help from Citizens Advice.

Escalation path

1) Complain to Places Gym or your centre manager in writing and request written confirmation. 2) If unresolved, contact Citizens Advice for next steps and template letters. 3) Use card chargeback or Section 75 with your card issuer for qualifying transactions. 4) As a last resort use the small claims court for recoveries of wrongly taken payments.

Check access and final date

Confirm the effective cancellation date in writing so you know when access ends and to avoid further direct debits. If your cancellation is processed with 15 days' notice, expect access until the next payment date unless the centre confirms an earlier effective date.

Cancel direct debit

After you receive written confirmation of cancellation, cancel the Direct Debit instruction with your bank to prevent any further payments. Places Leisure terms state it is the member's responsibility to cancel the direct debit instruction with their bank once cancellation is confirmed.

Ask for final statement and refunds

Request a final billing statement and any refund details in writing. If you cancelled under the 14-day cooling-off period, refunds for cash payments are processed to your bank account and may take up to 10 working days.

Data and accounts

Ask whether Places Gym will keep your account details and how to delete or anonymise them if you want no further contact. Retain copies of all correspondence for at least 12 months in case of future billing disputes.

Follow this checklist to complete and prove your cancellation.

• Locate your membership number and centre name.
• Decide your cancellation channel: online form, app, in person or recorded post.
• If within 14 days of joining, write a cancellation under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 and submit it immediately.
• Submit the cancellation via the chosen channel and save screenshots or stamped receipts.
• Send postal cancellations by Recorded Delivery to: Places Gym, St. John's Road, Clapham Junction, SW11 1BB London, United Kingdom.
• Ask for written confirmation of the effective cancellation date and any refund amount.
• Cancel the Direct Debit with your bank after you receive confirmation.
• Keep all evidence for at least 12 months for possible disputes and chargebacks.