Cancelling gym membership

microbio

Hi all,
Not sure if this is the right place for this so feel free to move. This may have been answered before but I have found nothing recent.

I joined a gym in Oct and stupidly chose the DD option. I paid a membership fee of approx 120E and then 55E per month up to Jan 2010 when I realised that due to paycuts, xmas, blah blah I could no longer commit to 55E a month for something I rarely used. I read the contract and it was slightly ambiguous as to whether you are locked into a contract for the full 12mths (it's looks like I am though). I emailed the cancellation address and told them my situation just before my Jan payment came out. I pay a month in advance for facilities and have not used the gym since Dec 09. They have just sent me an annoying letter saying that they are not responsible for changes in personal circumstances etc etc and I have to pay the balance (emm did I not say that I couldn't afford the 55E a month nevermind 385E!!) or pay a 20E to freeze the membership and commit to paying the balance once the 6 months is over.
I have already cancelled the DD with the bank and the laser card I provided on sign up has since been cancelled.
Does anyone have any thoughts on how to proceed? Shoudl I just ignore letter? I was told that I could cancel with one months notice when I signed up but unfortunately do not have this in writing so I now know it means diddly squat.
Anyone been in the same position?
Cheers in advance

dogeyknees

Just cancel the DD, write to your bank and tell them to stop making the payments and hand back your pass to the gym.

If the shoe was on the other foot and they went under and could no longer stay open you wouldn't get a refund and it would be tough luck.