AIBU to expect my gym to waive notice after lighting changes?

[OverlyFragrant]

I've been a member of this gym since the new year and am proud of myself for sticking with it.
The gym had been closed for a few days for refurbishment, and I eagerly went back in today, happy to get back into training.
Only they've installed some bright LED lights which hurt my eyes at the best of times (autoimmune disease) but here they are at a height directly in my line of sight. I cannot avoid them. Within 10 minutes my eyes were ridiculously and a migraine was starting.

I had a quick chat with one of the managers who basically said absolutely nothing they could do, which is fair enough. When I mentioned having to go elsewhere, they were quite arsey about reminding me the T&Cs of the contract state 3 months notice.

Am I right in thinking in this instance they shouldn't honour the notice period and just let me cancel.

Does anyone have any idea as to my rights here?

Your rights presumably depends on what the contract says. I guess they have to be strict to stop people taking the piss

Is it part of a chain? If it was me I'd write politely to the head office, unless the manager is actually the owner I wouldn't be put off by what he says, what have you got to lose?

Can you wear sunglasses?

No.
I'd need a special kind of glasses, already wear specs and the way the lights are designed, they're 360, I imagine I'd need wrap around shades or goggles.

I said YANBU but I dont know what the actual law is around this. I dont fancy your chances basically

Can someone else use your membership and you get something in return from them?

Give your notice, then speak to the manager/owner. Explain the issue and that due to the changes you will not physically be able to use your membership. I imagine they have a clause for people who have major injuries etc which they would hopefully apply.

You can get ‘fit over’ sunglasses that wrap over ordinary glasses and go all the way to your face. I use some for blue light blocking as I have similar issues and wear glasses. Whether they would be suitable for working out in, I do not know. But take a look on amazon

I'd organise a GP or optician's note to show that these lights are physically impossible for me and include that with a covering letter stating that I expect to end my contract immediately and not to pay the notice period.

I've seen some advertised for this, on tik tok

@OverlyFragrantshouldn’t have to wear sunglasses or anything. She has not changed anything!

The gym has changed the conditions in the gym. Presumably without consultation with the members. The new gym environment is not suitable for OverlyFragrant’s needs. Morally, they should release her from her contract with apologies.

@OverlyFragranthave you tried writing to their HO/manager with evidence of your eye condition? Is it a chain or independent?

This. Doesn't the contract have anything about being able to leave your membership for medical reasons? Is it a chain?

I think if you can get a letter from your doctor about the impact of LED lights with your condition then you could have a decent argument to get out of your contract under the Equality Act 2010 on the basis that you have a long-term health condition and the venue is no longer accessible to you.

In the first instance you could ask for a reasonable adjustment of the lighting being switched off when you are there, and if they can't do that and they are also unwilling to release you from your contract then you will take action under the Equality Act. There's more advice on the Citizens Advice website: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/discrimination/check-what-type-of-discrimination-youve-experienced/duty-to-make-reasonable-adjustments-for-disabled-people/

You have to pay for the GP letter usually, is that going to be the same cost as the 3 months left on the membership?

I've that's the case you could try writing and asking for a reasonable adjustment under the Equality Act without the doctors letter. You don't need a formal diagnosis to request a reasonable adjustment anyway.

When I had an accident and was unable to use my gym membership, I wrote a polite letter explaining the issue and they cancelled my membership immediately. I had signed a years contract and was only half way through but they were excellent about it. It’s worth a go with a polite letter of explanation.

Would wearing a baseball cap help?