Suzette took on gym chain in court

By lvickers

A gutsy 62-year-old who was taken to court by Bannantyne's Health Club for refusing to pay her gym membership has won her case.

Suzette Slattery cancelled her direct debit arrangement mid-contract after she was barred from using the health club's Tamworth branch.

She maintained that when she signed up to the Sutton club, she was given the green light to make use of both the Tamworth and Birmingham branches.

Last week, after more than 12 months of wrangling, a city judge dismissed the case.

"It takes a lot of courage to go to court – I feel I have been bullied, but I haven't succumbed," she said.

Mrs Slattery, of Sheffield Road, Sutton Coldfield, joined Bannantyne's in October 2006, with the proviso she could attend aerobics classes in Tamworth and Birmingham.

She said: "I used the Tamworth gym a couple of times a week until one day I was barred at the door.

"A hand went up and they said I was not allowed to go there anymore.

"They said they had put the rates up so I couldn't go in."

When she consequently cancelled her membership in June 2007 she began to receive threats of legal action.

But the mum-of-two stood her ground and challenged Bannantyne's to take her to court.

Last Thursday at Birmingham County Court, Mrs Slattery was finally vindicated when the case was thrown out.

"Had I submitted to the threats I would have paid money I didn't owe," she added.

"I think it is disgraceful that Bannantyne's is threatening to take people to court to frighten them into paying money.

"I feel angry I have had 12 months of distress and my time has been wasted writing letters and going to court.

"I felt threatened, but at the same time I felt I'd done nothing wrong."

A spokesperson for Bannantyne's Heath Club said: "The company notes the court's ruling and is considering an appeal."