spa


ARK opens ‘finishing school’ for therapists


Ark Age Aware Skincare has opened a new training academy at its headquarters in Putney, south west London. Te ARK Academy aims to offer newly-


qualified spa therapists a ‘finishing school’, and help them be professionally ready for the working environment. Academy director Sara Wilce said: “Te


idea for the ARK Academy arose from that struggle and will allow newly qualified ther- apists to improve their techniques, gain that all important confidence and set them on the path to a fulfilling career.” Te academy will shortly launch new


training packages in operational areas such as management development, reception training, customer service, team leadership skills and refresher courses for therapists returning to the industry.


Fish spas pose ‘low health risk’


Customers that undergo spa treatments using tooth- less Garra Rufa fish are at a ‘very low’ risk of catching an infection, according to new guidance on fish spas that has been published by the Health Protection Agency (HPA). Te HPA outlined that in


a fish spa setting there is the potential for transmission of a range of infections, either from fish to person (during the nibbling process), water to person (from the bacteria that can multiply in water), or person to person (via water, surrounding surfaces and fish). However, the HPA concludes that “over-


Te overall risk is “very low” if appropriate standards are adhered to


all risk of infection is likely to be very low, if appropriate standards of hygiene are adhered to”. Te guidance was issued by a multi-agency working group, established earlier this year, following a number of enquiries to the HPA


from local environmental health practitioners questioning the safety of fish spas. The treatment has become increasingly


popular throughout the UK and a number of operators, such as London-based Aqua Sheko and Appyfeet, have based their entire business model on the Garra Rufa service.


Fidelity invests £3.5m in Wahanda


Venture capitalist company Fidelity Growth Partners (FGP) has invested £3.5m in online health and beauty mar- ketplace Wahanda. Wahanda co-founder Lopo


DLL’s Farnham club will boast a large Amida Spa


New products unveiled for David Lloyd’s Amida Spas


David Lloyd Leisure (DLL) has secured a deal with Aromatherapy Associates; Rodial; and Alpha-H to provide products for new treatments across its Amida Spa estate. The products are to be offered from


October/November at all Amida Spa facil- ities, which are located at selected DLL racquet and fitness clubs and the opera- tor’s Harbour clubs. Hazel Geary, the health and racquet club


operator’s business development manager said: “Tese are exclusive products avail- able at premium locations and, as such, are a perfect offering for Amida.” Among the locations to offer the new


products will be DLL’s new Farnham club, which is scheduled to open in December and will house a 1,013sq m (10,904sq ſt) Amida Spa, the group’s largest.


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Champalimaud said the deal, which will also see FGP part- ner Davor Hebel join the board of Wahanda, will help accelerate its growth both in the UK and overseas. The company was origi-


nally established in 2008 by Champalimaud - formerly with lastminute.com - and Salim Mitha, a former gen- eral manager at internet giant Yahoo! “Our vision is to do for health, beauty


Wahanda is now aiming to speed up its growth in the UK and overseas


and wellness what Amazon did for books,” Champalimaud said. “We’ve created an online destination where people can find, discover,


share and book anything they want to do with health, beauty and wellness. We’re thrilled to partner with Fidelity Growth Partners Europe and we are looking forward to the passion and experience Davor will bring to our board.”


£1.5m spa suites for Center Parcs Elveden Forest


Four new luxury spa suites at the Center Parcs Elveden Forest holiday village in Suffolk have been completed. Te suites have a large open-plan living


space and features a fireplace, twin beds or double bed and private balcony or terrace.


Read Leisure Opportunities online: www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital Te £1.5m suites, which are a brand new


concept for Center Parcs, are located adjacent to the Aqua Sana Spa, giving guests that stay in them private access to the World of Spa. Nottingham-based construction consultancy Edmond Shipway managed the project.


Twitter: @leisureopps © CYBERTREK 2011


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