The future of Bristol’s renown Relaxation Centre has been secured after a new owner for the business was found just a week before it was due to close for good.
The centre is one of the best known and best supported spas in the area with a reputation that has spread well beyond its base in in Clifton.
Its future has been hanging in the balance since August when owner Richard Hicks failed to find a buyer for the business. 
Mr Hicks saved the Centre, which describes itself as “an oasis of peace and beauty” from closure himself 12 years ago when its founders needed to sell. Now he is retiring and wants to withdraw the capital tied up in the valuable building.
However, earlier attempts to secure a deal to sell the business fell through and Mr Hicks set a deadline of November 30 to find a new owner or close it down.
This week he has been able to complete an 11th hour deal under which he is to retain ownership of the building and form a partnership with an unnamed Bristol businessman to secure the long-term future of the centre.
He said: “I am delighted that we have secured the future of the spa facilities and the services provided by some 80 therapists at the centre – which will continue to provide everything from massage to reflexology, acupuncture and osteopathy.”
He said he looks forward to his new role as landlord but plans to continue to be a regular visitor to the centre.
Centre director Bernadette Ryder added: “For the staff here it has been quite a roller coaster. There is such deep commitment to the centre and such a passion for the work we do, that the prospect of closure was heartbreaking.
“There have been so many messages of support sent to us here, on our Facebook page and our Twitter account. We are really feeling the love and it has meant so much to all of us!”
Photo courtesy of Bristol Culture www.bristol-culture.com
