Virgin Active Gym in Members Row over Loyalty Vouchers

Added: (Wed May 02 2007)

Pressbox (Press Release) - Thank you for this opportunity to alert members of the former Holmes Place Active Gym, that loyalty vouchers they hold may not be honored by Virgin Active, the new handlers of the club.

I have been a member of Holmes Place Active Gym, now Virgin Active Gym for the past seven years. As far as I am aware, when the club was bought out by Virgin Active, the change in management was not expected to immediately impact existing membership conditions or agreements.

However, to the astonishment of members, straight away, the new management slapped restrictions on the number of towels in use at any one time. As if this was not enough, they erected cage like barriers around the towels. But the real shock came when the Virgin Active refused to honor loyalty club vouchers that had been issued by Holmes Place. This meant that vouchers I had accumulated as a faithful member and mostly for introducing many new members to the club were rendered null and void.

After realising that the vouchers I had been rewarded for unbroken membership were worthless I decided to raise the issue in a letter to management at the companies head office. I was snubbed. I sought redress in the courts and they ignored the court�s decision too.

I can now reveal that I have since secured a default judgement for compensation of the vouchers valued at around �500. And I can confirm that the Bailiffs have issued a summons on the company.

I have cancelled my member ship but I find it very hard to believe that companies still operate with such scant regard for customers.

In closing, I wish to advise members to ensure vouchers they hold are validated by Virgin Active. Failing that they can contact me to see how they can set about claiming compensation.