Sharp practices - beware!

I have been a member of the Bannatynes health club in York since it first opened, over 15 years ago, carrying on my membership from the old living well gym that Bannatynes took over. Owing to failing health and moving away from the immediate area I decided to cancel my membership during the COVID 19 lockdown in July. I was unable to directly e mail either the health club or the head office, and although I rang them several times no one answered the phone. I cancelled my direct debit at my bank, and was subsequently contacted In August by Bannatynes to say that I owed them two months membership of £255, as the date of cancellation had to run from the date they contacted me. I argued that as I had not actually used the gym since 2019, and the the gym had been closed for the last 4 months and I had been unable to contact anyone to cancel my membership this should not apply. This was not accepted and I have been hounded for the money ever since, and threatened with debt collectors for a service I have not used. I have finally had to pay the £255, but I would never go back to membership at this gym again. Their treatment of me has been appalling. Customer care and service is NIL. All they want is your money. The gym itself did not work for me, as too few Pilates classes were run, which got booked up very quickly and I couldn't get in. The ladies showers and changing area is in a sorry state and hasn't been updated for 15 years. The cafe is slow, indifferent and poor food quality.