Gyms, weddings, holidays and MOTs - lawyer explains your lockdown money back rights

This week has seen England go into another lockdown, although the ­restrictions are not as tough as the first time around.

Under latest guidance, non-essential shops have been forced to close - with the furlough scheme extended until March to protect jobs.

And with so many people off work - and forced to take a pay cut as a result of the job support scheme - many are now asking what this means for their consumer rights.

So here are the basics - including your money back rights.

Gyms

You can suspend your membership or request a refund (Getty Images)

All gyms have been ordered to close during the lockdown. If you pay a monthly membership, you will be entitled to a refund for your November fees.

If you do not need the cash, consider agreeing an extension of your membership to help support the gym and keep it open in future.

Weddings

If you had a wedding booked for this month it will not be able to go ahead.

The good news is that you will be entitled to a refund. Again, if you’re happy to move the wedding to a new date, consider doing so.

Covid has been really harsh on wedding venues and we need to do all we can to help them survive.

Holidays

Outbound and staycation holidays are currently banned (AFP via Getty Images)

All overseas and UK holidays are banned during the lockdown.

If you have a booking during this period, you will be ­entitled to a refund. However, let the holiday provider confirm the cancellation, even if it means ­asking them if the holiday can go ahead.

If you tell them you’re cancelling, experience tells me that many providers will try to wriggle out of the refund.

House moves

During the last lockdown, the housing market came to a grinding halt with all viewings and house moves suspended.

This is not the case with this lockdown, as the government clearly wants to keep the housing market moving. So, you can still view houses for sale and you can still physically move home, but only if you can do so whilst being ‘Covid safe’.

MOTs

MOTs were also affected during the last lockdown and as a consequence, the Government introduced a concession allowing motorists to delay MOTs.

This is not the case with this lockdown so if your vehicle is due to have its MOT this month, it is important that you get this done.

■ The position in relation to the above matters is different in Northern Ireland and Scotland, where there is currently no ­national lockdown but instead tiered restrictions. If any of these restrictions cause a business to cancel a service, you will be entitled to a refund.