Experts from the Bristol office of chartered surveyor and property consultancy Sanderson Weatherall have helped a new yoga centre overcome planning issues to open in London.
A team led by Bristol-based associate partner Owen Pike provided a range of services to YogaWorks London, including town planning, agency and architecture, to pave the way for it to open a 3,200 sq ft facility in Wandsworth later this month. 
Owen, pictured, said: “The location of the property meant acquiring planning permission was not as straightforward as it could be.
“Due to the property being in an out-of-centre location, we undertook a sequential assessment to establish whether there were any alternative properties in a different location.
“Once we confirmed that there were no alternatives, we were able to progress with the process of applying for planning permission and I’m delighted that YogaWorks has found just the property it was looking for.”
YogaWorks London was established by Nicola Devine and Phillipa Hawkins, who are both passionate believers in the mind and body benefits of yoga practice.
The site houses two studios and focuses on delivering an exceptional client experience through friendly, knowledgeable and professional reception staff and fully qualified, experienced yoga teachers.
Phillipa said: “We are very excited to be opening our new facility and Sanderson Weatherall has been vital in helping us to receive planning permission.
“Owen and the team were extremely professional and achieved a great result in a very efficient way. I hope they will one day come and enjoy a class of their own.”
Sanderson Weatherall undertook a bespoke initial planning appraisal to ascertain the premises’ potential to be converted from retail to leisure use. Concept plans were then prepared by the firm’s architecture and agency services.
After receipt of planning permission from the local authority, YogaWorks retained the firms’ services to discharge the pre-commencement conditions attached to the permission.
Sanderson Weatherall – which also has offices in Newcastle, Teesside, York, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, London and Exeter – employs more than 200 people and has a turnover of £15m.
It provides a complete range of property, machinery and business asset services across retail, residential, offices, industrial, leisure, roadside, healthcare, public sector and third sector.
