Just a little note for anyone thinking of joining Hamiltons Fitness Centre, Colchester. Read the contract.

I attempted to cancel my membership, talking directly to the owners, in October, and have just discovered that the money is still leaving my account. When I rang to discuss a possible refund I discovered that they use the type of contract that the Consumer Association is touting as extremely unethical. This sort of contract auto-renews for an additional 12 months on the anniversary, and requires notice at least 30 days before that to activate cancellation. So, there is no one month notice period after the first year, or anything reasonable like that.

I would have thought that they would have told me that the membership (and money) would run for an additional 12 months as I handed over the membership cards, but it was all smiles.

Oh, BTW, don’t use the free vouchers! If you do, you find you have cut up your contract on the other side and have nothing to go to the solicitors with (well, I have HALF the contract left).

(PS. I have removed the link, no point advertising them too, is there?)