Three-storey boutique ‘wellness venue’ set to officially open in Harrogate town centre

A three-storey boutique “wellness venue” is set to officially open in Harrogate town centre tomorrow.

Ebru Evrim will offer daily classes and workshops in yoga and Pilates in the former Laura Ashley premises, on James Street.

It follows a 4,000 sq ft refurbishment thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign, which saw more than £300,000 raised.

A launch party, featuring food from Hustle & Co, took place at the venue last night and guests were given a tour around the building.

The third floor.

Ebru Evrim is the name of the brand’s founder and owner, who moved over from Istanbul in 2015.

She began to teach  yoga and pilates in village halls in the Yorkshire Dales, before launching her first studio in Skipton.

Apparatus in one of the studios.

Following its success, Ms Evrim looked to Harrogate as a vibrant spa town already famed for championing wellness.

Ms Evrim, who also runs wellness holidays and yoga retreats, said:

“I’m so happy I think we are unique and I’m super excited to bring some healthy living to Harrogate. And I’m excited to introduce ourselves, our teachers and our services. I think it’s going to be great. I can’t wait.

“I was so lucky to find this place. We still have some work on the building to complete, but it has all been done by local tradesmen.

“The location is amazing. I’m so grateful to be given the opportunity to open this venue. Life is short and I want to give something good to this place.”

Read more:

On the ground floor shop-front, Ms Evrim’s own-branded boutique fitness clothing is on sale.

On the second floor, state-of-the-art Pilates reformer apparatus will be in place. The machines are being made in California and were expected in April. However, they are now unlikely to arrive until September as a result of shipping delays.

Apparatus in one of the studios.

The apparatus will be alongside a space for working with clients requiring specialist therapy for conditions such as lower back, scoliosis, arthritis and osteoporosis. The floor also features showers and changing rooms.

The third floor, complete with industrial-style exposed brick walls and ambient lighting, provides space for yoga and Pilates classes with 30 mats and underfloor heating.

There will also be a cafe on the ground floor, offering snacks and healthy food, which is set to open in a month’s time.

Classes will begin tomorrow from 9am.

Reformer Pilates and yoga studio opens in old Harrogate chapel

A Pilates and yoga studio aimed at bringing “a London feel” to Harrogate has opened in an old chapel on Skipton Road.

Alicja Palutkiewicz, launched Empowered Movement Space, which specialises in Reformer Pilates, after spending years teaching in community centres, halls and gyms across district.

Ms Palutkiewicz, who is originally from Poland and has lived in Harrogate for 14 years, started instructing Pilates in 2015, before qualifying as a yoga teacher a few years later.

Read more:

She said:

“I decided to open this studio to create a relaxed environment for my students where they can come along, socialise, meet like-minded people, move their bodies and clear their mind.

“Also I wanted to be able to teach from one place, have all my equipment stored there and ready to use whenever needed.”

The studio, based at The Old Chapel, offers mat Pilates, Reformer Pilates and yoga classes, as well as private one-to-one sessions.

The new studio is based in The Old Chapel on Skipton Road, Harrogate.

Ms Palutkiewicz said:

“I am a big fan of Reformer Pilates. I have had one Reformer for numbers of years and was teaching private classes only.

“It’s an amazing piece of apparatus and having a space in a studio allows me to have four of them and make it more accessible for everyone to join and try it.

“Also, when I was looking for a Reformer class, I felt there wasn’t one in Harrogate so I had to travel to Leeds to attend one.

“The main difference between mat and Reformer is that you work with your body weight on a mat and against the spring tension on Reformer, so it is more suitable for people with injuries.”

The Reformer Pilates machines in action.

Ms Palutkiewicz said the old church in which the studio is based provided lots of space and a “really good atmosphere”.

She added:

“I hope my studio will bring a little bit of a ‘London feel’ to Harrogate, as nearly every Pilates studio in London is equipped with Reformers.”

Harrogate’s former Laura Ashley shop could become yoga studio

A boutique yoga and pilates studio has submitted plans to open in the former Laura Ashley shop on Harrogate’s James Street.

Ebru Evrim currently provides provides classes in Skipton and sells activewear clothing.

According to planning documents submitted to Harrogate Borough Council, the owner wants to replicate the business in Harrogate town centre.

If approved, the plans would see the James Street unit converted into a retail and teaching space over three floors.

The two upper floors would be used as yoga and pilates studios and the activewear would be sold on the ground floor.

The company, which also arranges holidays, retreats and workshops, says on its website:

“The boutique brand founder and owner Ebru Evrim moved over from Istanbul in 2015, and began to teach ashtanga yoga and basic pilates as a freelancer in village halls and other local venues in Upper Wharfedale.”

The building, at 3 James Street, has been vacant for 12 months after Laura Ashley went into administration in March last year before going into partnership with Next.

The plans are currently under review by.

Read more: