A new yoga business, whose directors include a best selling novelist, have acquired the ground floor of the Brewhouse in Bristol’s St George’s Square – part of the former Courage brewery complex which is being converted into the Finzel’s Reach waterfront development.
The company believe this could be the largest yoga facility in the South West at over 5,100 sq ft, and it will also include a New Zealand style café.
The property was acquired by Bristol-based Williams Gunter Hardwick on behalf of Pacific Yoga for £320,000; the vendor, Crosby Lendlease, was represented by Hartnell Taylor Cook.
Pacific Yoga is co-owned by James Long, the former BBC TV news correspondent and author of a number of bestselling books – including “Ferney” and its follow-up “The Lives She Left Behind”. The major shareholder and inspiration behind the project is James’ partner, Margaret Brereton, is from the Polynesian island of Rarotonga. She is a leading exponent of “Hot Yoga” – which involves exercising and stretching in high temperatures – although other forms of yoga will also be on offer at the new centre.
“Finding the right location has taken its time,” says James Long, “because we wanted somewhere exceptional: this part of the waterfront, in a building with real character and history, is perfect for us. It’s also within an exciting new residential development and close to the city’s principal business quarter.”
The new yoga centre, which will open early in 2016, will have two studios heated by Far Infra Red (FIR) panels. As well as being highly energy efficient, FIR panels give off a therapeutic radiant heat – helping to relax muscles and stimulate blood flow. Typically, the temperature in a Hot Yoga studio is maintained at around 38 or 39 degrees centigrade.
The café is being designed by Margaret Brereton to reflect the style now popular in New Zealand where she lived for many years. “Everyone who has ever experienced a New Zealand café will tell you that it has a unique feel – not just in the design and décor but in the food and drink on offer too,” says Margaret.
“We will be focusing on locally sourced, simple but scrumptious healthy snacks and meals – although the odd ‘sinful’ cake or delicacy might just make an appearance too! It’s not just Kiwis that believe they have the best cafés in the world – and this is what I want to transplant here in Bristol.”
“This will be a huge addition to Bristol’s vibrant waterfront scene,” says Andrew Hardwick of Williams Gunter Hardwick, “with a really strong outdoor and indoor café offering as well as a first class new health and leisure facility.
“We already have arguably the best waterfront of any regional city in the UK – successfully mixing leisure, residential and business uses – and Pacific Yoga’s arrival at the Brewhouse will reinforce that.”
Natalie Bennett of Hartnell Taylor Cook LLP, who represented the vendor, said: “This sale represents the final part of a unique redevelopment of an historic wharf-side Bristol building – and our client was delighted that it is being occupied by an entrepreneurial young business like Pacific Yoga.”
