posted 16th September 2025
At Meridian Legal Services, we specialise in helping businesses escape the traps of unfair telecom contracts and crippling finance lease agreements. Our team works to legally challenge mis-sold phone deals, cancel finance leases, and clear the slate so owners can get back to running their companies without the shadow of long-term liabilities.
We’ve seen it time and again: a business owner signs what looks like a good deal, only to find out later that the true costs are hidden in the fine print. These contracts can last five, seven, even ten years — with no reasonable way out. The result? Years of wasted money, stress, and, in some cases, a real threat to survival.
One recent story, uncovered by the BBC, shows just how damaging these deals can be.
A Business on the Brink.
Gary Pride, a graphic designer from Bradford, has been in business for nearly two decades. He’s survived a recession, rebuilt after a devastating fire, and adapted during the pandemic. Yet the biggest risk to his livelihood hasn’t come from those challenges — it’s his telecom contract.
Gary signed what he thought was a reasonable business phone deal. But according to a BBC investigation, he’s now paying a staggering £54,432 over 10 years for just five phones — nearly £11,000 per handset.
The contract has drained him financially and emotionally. Gary admits he’s gone months without paying himself just to keep up with the bills. The stress has caused sleepless nights, damaged his mental health, and forced him onto antidepressants.
How the Trap Works.
Gary’s contract began with an “introductory offer” of just over £200 per month. But two years later, the payment jumped to more than £550 per month — with no easy exit. When he complained, he was persuaded into an “upgrade” that promised lower monthly payments. In reality, he was simply taking on a second contract while still liable for the first. Instead of reducing the cost, it doubled it. To leave early, he’d have to pay a £24,584 exit fee. For most small businesses, that’s simply impossible.
The Human Cost.
These aren’t just numbers — they’re livelihoods. Gary feels he’s let himself and his staff down. Instead of using his profits to grow the company or pay wages, he’s stuck funnelling money into an agreement he regrets signing. And the impact isn’t limited to the balance sheet. Long-term financial stress often leads to burnout, mental health struggles, and a loss of confidence in running the business.
Why Switching Providers Isn’t the Solution.
Some telecom providers offer so-called “buyout deals,” where they promise to cover the cost of your current contract if you move to them.
It can sound appealing, but it’s often like resetting the fire alarm without putting out the fire.
The noise might stop for now, but the danger hasn’t gone away.
These deals usually roll the original debt into a new long-term agreement, leaving you carrying the same burden in a different form.
It doesn’t fix the problem — it just masks it.
How Meridian Clears the Slate.
At Meridian Legal Services, we do things differently. We don’t shuffle the debt around. We challenge the legality of unfair contracts and finance leases at the root. Our goal is to wipe the slate clean so you’re free from the burden altogether. When you’re free of unfair agreements, you can make genuine choices about the providers you work with — not desperate compromises to escape one trap by entering another.
Contact Meridian Legal Services today for a free contract review.
We’ll check the fine print, explain your options, and if you’ve been mis-sold, we’ll work to get you out — legally, fairly, and completely. Your phone system should be an asset, not a liability. With the right support, you can protect your business, your finances, and your future.
Meridian Legal Services — protecting businesses, challenging unfair contracts, and restoring peace of mind.
