Shrewsbury business Rural Space celebrates 3rd anniversary
Rural Space, a health, fitness and beauty studio based in Harmer Hill just outside Shrewsbury, is celebrating three years of blissful business this summer with new staff and investment.
Owner and Director, Vikki Heath, has worked in the health and fitness industry for nearly 25 years, including as the exercise development officer for Coventry City Council. She wanted to create a different centre for exercise and well-being in the county and has pumped around £100,000 into the business since it opened three years ago, with more staff members including three personal trainers, two beauty therapists, a spacious beauty room and state of the art equipment including spinning bikes.
Rural Space is situated on Pimhill Farm, which has been organic since 1949. Much of the farm’s ethos has spilled over into Rural Space - a health centre with a difference, which is designed to improve people’s body and mind.
The business, situated in a modern barn conversion in an idyllic rural setting, is just ten minutes from Shrewsbury. The gym offers the Total Gym Gravity Training System which uses a person’s own body weight to control and work muscles and is ideal for people with back problems as they are completely supported, as well various fitness classes for all ages and abilities including pilates, yoga – including for children and pregnant women, toning and fat burning classes, spinning, yoga, and personal training.
There is also a spacious beauty therapy room offering a full range of treatments including Shellac nails, Fake Bake spray tan and the award-winning Caci ultimate non-surgical face lift.
As well as being a qualified personal trainer, Vikki is a licensed hypno-band practitioner. Among her work in this area is the Thrive Programme, which she has been taking into local schools to help young people learn mind techniques to improve their self esteem to combat stress and bullying.
Despite being one of ‘Shropshire’s best kept secrets’ Rural Space is growing as a business. Vikki said: “I recognised that most gyms can be quite stressful and they can make you feel guilty if you don’t go as much as you should. I wanted to create somewhere where we really got to know the members and listen to what they wanted. Some people want to get into shape after having a baby or an operation and others want to de-stress with yoga or massage and we want to cater for and help all of those people.
“Many of our classes last just 30 minutes, such as spinning, which everyone can find time for. People say when they work out here that they feel good and that they have done something nice for their body.
“Overall, we are non-judgemental and supportive and I feel very proud that we are growing as a business and people are using all different parts of the business to look after their mind and body. We are getting some really good feedback and we have some lovely staff to thank for all of their hard work.”
