I now officially close this blog as we are now fully open!

Thank you all for reading and see you soon.

Nick

Open days:

Sunday 24 May 2026: 1pm - 5pm
and
Monday 25 May 2026: 1pm - 5pm

At last we can announce our complimentary open days during which we invite you to have a good look around, join us for some superb refreshments that include non-alcoholic cocktails and our signature coffees and, if you like, have a go of one our fabulous treatments that include:

• Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT): 1 or 2 people at once
• Whole-body cryotherapy + infrared sauna: 1 or 2 people at once
• Red Light Therapy: 1 person at a time

Have a butcher's at opendays.asp for more info and to secure your place.


Nick

Titivate day 24 - The day after the first full test run!

Charlotte and Jake came over yesterday to test the facility out - they did the lot! I think that the photos speak for themselves.

Mark from Henshaws came over first thing this morning to take the HBOT's compressor away to be fixed - it was running a touch slow. Assuming that it's back by end of play Thursday, we should be able to announce the opening date - hurrah!

Verily, I will keep you posted.


Nick

Titivate day 23 - Cheltenham Races Day! (Actually this was Saturday just gone)

In our search for suitable artwork, we descended upon Cheltenham racecourse on Saturday for the Fresh Art Fair 2026. After a slow start we happened upon an artist/sculptor, Sally Dunham (https://www.sallydunham.co.uk/). Her work was just what we need and we came away with four pieces and an agreement to get together for future commissions.

We also have taken deliveries of fabulous supplements from KIKI Health and essential oils from Rebecca Tracey - the smells are fantastic!

We are just waiting on one last thing to be completed on the HBOT, and we can then be safely announced an opening date; it's imminent!


Nick

Titivate day 18

Yesterday, Emma and her daughter Meg, hit the red light beds, then went in the cryo chamber together. It's huge in there; they both had room to sing and dance to... whatever it was they were listening to on Spotify - It's a veritable nightclub in there. They then relaxed in the sauna and took a vitamin shower. They will try the hyperbaric oxygen chamber next weekend; we are still testing everything out.

The fire extinguishers were delivered today. Wow! Gold and black. I can't believe what they add; they are almost a design statement in themselves. I've never seen anything like them.

We are getting tantalizingly close to being able to announce the opening date! I'll keep you posted.


Nick

Titivate day 15 - Coffee Day!

It's been totally intoxicating here today with the smell of freshly brewed coffee. Bishopsgate delivered the machine yesterday and Sarhan installed it this afternoon on behalf of Liquidline. The combination of the really upmarket Schaerer Coffee Club machine and our own blend of top quality Arabica coffee roasted in house, is just superb. Even Sarhan, whose job it is to install these machines up and down the country, said that our coffee was exceptional. We can't wait to offer it to all our guests as an important part of their sessions.

We also took delivery of the sumptuous towels and robes that look fantastic on the dedicated shelving.

So, what's left to do and effectively preventing us from setting a firm launch date? The HBOT chamber!

As you know by now, everything, but everything, needs to be perfect here; all our guests will expect it. And everything is just perfect; except the HBOT chamber. It will be, don't worry, it's just taking Henshaw's an inordinate amount of time to get it up to our exacting standards. As soon as it is, we will be announcing our opening date. I'll keep you posted.


Nick

Titivate day 12

I've not done a blog recently as it's been boring background work. But, Emma's been out and about sourcing the finest of everything from towels and robes to plants and pants - I'm not kidding; we sell shorts for use in the cryo.

This coming week we've got the very expensive coffee machine being installed. We can't wait to try out cappuccinos, lattes, espressos etc. all made with our very own, freshly roasted coffee beans. And, of course, the hot chocolate made with fresh milk! - That' all happening on Wednesday.

After last-week's installation of the biggest HD TV that we've ever seen in any hyperbaric oxygen chamber, we've just got one last thing to do with the chamber that will truly make it the best of the best! Hopefully this will be done this week as well.

Just so that you can see where we are, I ran around with the camera earlier today. I'll do some more camera-work during the week - promise.


Nick

Day forty seven. Test out day!

Today we held our breaths and turned everything on. Well nearly everything. It proved that we are all good with cryo, HBOT, sauna and red light beds all belting out. Did you notice a drop in electricity around four this afternoon?

We are getting ever closer to being able to announce an opening date and start the marketing proper. We are only waiting on the coffee machine and a couple of tweaks to the HBOT.

I'll keep you posted!


Nick

Day forty five. Cryo inception and try-out!

Over the weekend Emma all but completed the decorating and then found time to stain the large door to the electrical cupboard in the hall. It was looking very old and tired but rather than replace it, Emma took a chance with some stain which has worked a real treat.

Laurence from RP-X arrived early this morning to officially incept our cryotherapy chamber. After a brief discussion and a quick check of the machine, we all took turns. Works a treat!

For those not sure, our electric chamber is proper full body cryo; shoulders and head included - not like those nitrogen ones where your neck and head stick out of the top and you only really feel the benefits from your tummy down. It is also the total antithesis of the dreaded cold plunge; it's certainly exhilarating and invigorating but not horribly wet, terribly uncomfortable and down-right painful - it's dry... wonderfully dry! You feel fabulous and on cloud nine for hours afterwards - I can't wait to sleep well tonight.


Nick

Day forty three. Delivery Day!

The day started early with Jacob from IMServ fitting the long-awaited electricity meter for the new phase that was installed by National Grid an eon ago. We now just need our electricians on site again to make the final connection and then we should be able to run all the equipment at once!

Will then popped over with the reupholstered Liang and Emil bench and stools - the original fabric covering would not have been suitable for a changing area - and what a great job he has done. A bit of history; Will did our upholstery for all the gym equipment at Bardello.

I then put up the floor-to-ceiling acrylic splash-back. Well, you can't be too careful; can you?


Nick

Day forty. Cubicles Day

Things started early today with the final big install - the sand-blasted shower divides and doors and the changing cubicles.

It was a real pane; I was ordered to leave as my cracking of the dad jokes was quickly wearing at bit thin. But Ben and Tom, installing on behalf of Cubicle Systems were smashing guys, but clearly shattered by the end of it.

Tomorrow, the desks for the consultation room and office are arriving. Emma's already rung the supplier to say that there's a bit missing. Why is it always the case that no matter what you order, there's a bit missing, a bit broken, and/or a bit bent? (And don't forget the dog-eared manifest)


Nick

Day after day thirty-nine. Lockers - same to you!

Lockers arrived early yesterday. Emma chose the largest reasonably available as we know from experience members often bring big bags.

We set the furniture out again today to see how much room we had around and about - there's plenty. Can't wait for the rug to arrive.

I decided to have a fiddle with the entertainments system in the HBOT chamber. It's lovely to sit in the big space and watch Netflix - should be getting on with some work, really.

All that said, we still can't announce and opening date because despite Emma's best efforts, our electric supplier, Valda, can't seem to get their acts together and install a meter for the new line. This is all very frustrating as we can't run all the equipment at once, and we can't open until we can - Lots of can'ts I know, but that seems to be the way of it.

Highlights for the coming week include:

• Fitting of the sand-blasted glass shower doors and panels.
• Fitting of the changing rooms' doors and divides.
• Delivery of the desks for the consulting room and office.
• Delivery of the huge members' area rug.
• Emma will continue pestering our electric supplier, Valda, all whilst decorating and I'll carry on with the software and testing my blood pressure.

Nick

Day thirty-seven. Full-fibre day.

We've just cracked the bubbly open. After three months we now have full-fibre broadband Internet! Openreach finally sorted it this very morn. Unfortunately, I was not present; I was having my BP taken. The doctor said that I was under stress - can't think for a moment why.

The electricians put up the emergency lights and running men so we are now fully compliant - compliant with what, however, I'm not entirely sure; The Salmon Act 1986*?

Then we had a Furniture Village delivery - the coffee and lamp tables.


Nick

* Under the Salmon Act 1986, it is illegal to handle salmon suspiciously.

Day thirty-six.

Neal snuck in yesterday to put some acoustic panelling on the wall that shields the HBOT chamber gubbins. Looks smashing!

Jamie arrived early this morning and completed the flooring. We will be asking members not to use the fabulous floor as it's too nice to scuff - Yogic Flying classes with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi will be held at dawn on the lawn.

Emma spent most of the day decorating and ripping things off and...

...dealing with BT/Openreach/Kelly Communications and St. Jude, the patron saint of lost causes. Apparently, but don't hold your breath, someone from Openreach is attending site tomorrow morning.

But this is the best...

...Valda, our electricity supplier, have been tasked with one job: to add an new meter between the new electricity phase installed by National Grid and the new consumer unit added by the electricians some weeks ago. We thought that we'd make life a bit easier by suggesting that their engineer, who for many weeks has been booked in to install a replacement meter to the existing supply on the 18th March (2026!), could also install the new meter - Good thinking Batman.

After much probing, it appears that our request for the new meter was indeed signed in triplicate, but was then sent in, sent back, queried, lost, found, subjected to public inquiry, lost again, buried in soft peat for three months and, as we now understand, has finally been recycled as firelighters. So, based upon this rather unfortunate turn of events, our not unreasonable request has now gone right to the very top at both Valda and their meter installation partner IMServ, and we have been informed that someone is taking personal charge of all this - marvellous; couldn't ask for more.

Got a phone call late afternoon to say that the meter replacement engineer has something of higher priority tomorrow and the job has been cancelled in its entirety - Champion!


Nick

Day thirty-four. Friday the Thirteenth!!!

I've not managed to write the blog for a few days as it's been so hectic. And most of the hecticiscity has been behind the scenes with Emma constantly badgering both BT/Openreach with Kelly Communications coming to the rescue and our electricity supplier Valda - so, not many photo opportunities. And I've been temporarily bumped from computer programming and setting up the marketing to coffee machines and signage - neither of which are progressing well either.

We did manage this week to have the ventilation installed with the new-fangled T6 intelligent fans. They are really meant to help growers of seedlings who need to be very precise regarding temperature, humidity and their lighting; just like us really. What the devil is VPD? - it gives no clue in the instruction manual other than you can trigger the fan on it.

Ian from Kelly Communications arrived during the great storm of 12 March. Soaked to the skin he pushed and shoved and rammed and plunged, but his fibre would not pass. Just before midnight (or it seemed like it) he called for reinforcements who would join him in battle tomorrow.

It's now tomorrow. Reinforcements arrived and in the cold light of day, drove the fibre home, so they did. Ian arrived later in the afternoon to complete the work. Unfortunately (you knew it was coming!). Unfortunately, it looks as if either the wrong ONT (Out of National Territory?) was installed last week as the PON (Petroleum Operations Notice?) light kept flashing; or the 'F' settings are incorrect on a BT computer somewhere, but BT have all gone home. It'll be Monday now for the next chapter. This all makes Marcel Proust's, 'In Search of Lost Time', look like an epic.

Meanwhile, there was also the final push from Henshaws regarding the six-week installation of the HBOT - Didn't AstraZenica save the World in shorter time? Today, the masks went on and the chamber made lots of noises. We are getting trained on Monday - Hayden's coming over to tell us which buttons to press and what knobs to twiddle.


Nick

P.S. VPD - Vapour Pressure Deficit (don't get me started).

Day thirty one. Altro day.

The Altro and entrance matting chaps arrived today - two days ahead of when we thought, but no problem.

What you gain on the swings, you lose on the HBOT. The Roberts did not turn up. We remain forever hopeful, however, for a sighting tomorrow.

I now understand that someone from BT (or is it Openreach?) will be doing some hard, external work tomorrow; again a day or so ahead of the three-month delayed schedule.


Nick

P.S. I just heard that Ian from Openreach (or is it BT?) will still be attending, tool in hand, on Thursday.

Day thirty. Furniture disposition.

Didn't do much this weekend just gone, but went in on Sunday to have a play with the furniture.

Let's take stock of where we are as people are asking when we are opening. I can't rightly give a date for two reasons:

Firstly, BT. The broadband has been on order since last year and all efforts to work with BT and their complaints department have failed. Last week we started making noises with a) The Communications Ombudsman, but they only deal with disputes - there's no dispute here, BT have failed to deliver; b) OFCOM, but they are a regulator, whatever that is, but it's no help to us; c) The Universal Services Obligation (USO) for broadband but that's handled by BT so it's around we go! I finally emailed the head of Openreach, who I believe are the ones holding this up, and they have promised that Ian will turn up with suitable screwdriver to hand on Thursday. The thing is, I can't announce an opening date until we are 100% sure we will have reasonable broadband by that date.

Secondly, Valda, our electricity supplier. Both National Grid and our electricians were super-quick at installing their parts of the additional electric supply that we need to run all our equipment simultaneously. Valda, not so. We are awaiting a date for them to install the new meter so that the electricians can connect the new consumer unit. Earlier today, I overheard Emma have exactly the same conversation with them that she had last week. Again, until I am 100% sure that we will have the additional electrical connection in place, I can't announce an opening date.

It's all very frustrating.

What's On This Week (I feel like putting a question mark after this!)

Monday: Screeding of the Entrance Vestibule by Jamie Vickers - No, it's not a book; just a chapter!
Tuesday: The Roberts and Mark (wasn't he something to do with road safety and not danger?) from Henshaws will be here again to do things with the HBOT.
Wednesday: Roberts (happy days) are here again.
Thursday: The Altro is being fitted in the showers and the entrance matting in the foyer; The ventilation is being fitted; The coffee tables are being delivered; And Hayden will give us training on the HBOT.
Friday: I'm having a strong cup of tea - again!

Meanwhile, Emma is sorting things out and decorating and Osmo oiling and all whilst whistling a happy tune.


Nick

Day twenty-eight. Furniture delivery.

A couple of important items descended upon us today: the Adexa water fountain and the members' lounge furniture from Liang & Eimil.

The water fountain caused some serious scratching of the head. I have no doubt that between the Sam the electrician, Angus the plumber, Neal the builder and Emma the designer, we'll come up with something; I'm staying well back.

Then the members' lounge furniture arrived! Apart from checking that it's all OK, we can't take it out of the boxes just yet as we've got the ventilation chaps next week with their large, red, dust-producing Hiltis.

The Roberts from Henshaws were again on site today as the HBOT chamber lumbers slowly to readiness.


Nick

Day twenty-six. Red light bed setting up day.

This was also supposed to be the day of National Grid additional connection installation and BT broadband installation.

National Grid, brilliant! Done in minutes.

BT (actually Openreach) arrived on site looking decidedly blank. They left looking equally decidedly blank having achieved nothing. Apparently, we need a survey. The order was placed with BT back in December last year; it's been on their complaints pathway for 8 weeks; I know for a fact that several surveys have already been carried out - what's there left to survey? My left buttock? Emma's on the warpath and is writing a strongly worded letter* and I'm going to contact someone very important... indeed!

The red light beds are fantastic - I understand that they are the most powerful and most configurable in the world; marvellous!


Nick

P.S. My right buttock is now wondering what's wrong with it.

* Here is a footnote from my book about Bardello - Not a Word of a Lie - in which I list some useful 'D' words that I know Emma will be considering:

Disgrace, deplorable, depravity, derogatory, despicable, detestable, detrimental, diabolical, defamatory, discourteous, disdainful, disgusting, disingenuous, dismal, displeasure, disrespect, dissatisfy, distress, divisive, dreadful and reprehensible.

Every parish councillor should learn the following off by heart, 'It's a total disgrace; an utterly reprehensible and dismal failure that's simply not good enough. These deplorable and depraved antics leave nothing but a nasty taste in the mouth.' The mind fair boggles!

Day twenty-five. Red light bed delivery day.

Today was the arrival of the red light beds. They had been on the road for the best part of a month and we were eager to see how they'd travelled. We needn't have worried; the packaging was more than adequate - there's now a worldwide shortage of nails and cello tape.

As there was so much going on the venue today - Jamie and Kev with the flooring, Neal and Brad with the doors, Angus and Josh with the showers and Megaflo etc we decided to leave setting up the red light beds until tomorrow.

I'm informed that tomorrow is a big day - National Grid are installing the new electricity line and, after a delay of two months, BT are finally installing the broadband, so it's early to bed for us.


Nick

Day twenty-four. More Flooring.

I didn't attend site today until all the trades had gone. Actually, there was only Jamie and Kev making a start on the main area the floor with Neal and Brad continuing their work on the doors. So, I could have paid them a visit, but I was still too traumatised after yesterday.

I did, however, pop in later with Emma to deliver the mirrors for the vanity unit. It would seem that Jamie has the God-like power of emptying the landscape. I've not seen the place so devoid of stuff since the day the tradesmen took up residence. What a difference it makes; you can begin to make out what we are striving towards.

LATEST NEWS: Reports are just coming in that the red light beds have cleared UK customs and will be with us on Monday. A general alert has been issued to...'Stand by your beds.'


Nick

Day twenty-three. Flooring, electrics and hot water.

Before I begin, the 30 lights are still lost. Emma and I went knocking on the doors of the locals each brandishing a photo of the Victorian tile flooring, pale patterned curtains, an elaborate fire hearth and a black knobbly standard lamp. Some of our new neighbours were very sympathetic to our plight; others just gave us a funny look, so we retreated back to base and informed the supplier that all appeared to be lost.

It was absolute mayhem in the venue today with builders, plumbers, electricians and floor layers. The good thing is that they were all working well together; sharing the odd jolly jape, ironic anecdote and merry quip. I'm not sure who had terrible wind, but we'll leave it at that as this type of activity leaves as nasty taste in the mouth.

Highlights of the day included seeing the walnut doors with the dark bronze handles in place for the first time, seeing the hot water come through the taps for both the members' bar and vanity unit and seeing oodles of space in the electrical consumer unit (It's a shame; I don't get out much!).


Nick

P.S. The 30 lighting panels have been found! They are in Parcel Force's Coventry depot. Emma's on her way to collect them herself.

P.P.S. It's late in the evening and Emma's just returned with the 30 lighting panels!!!

Day twenty-two. Electrics and secret doors.

Personally, I spent much of the day putting the marketing database together whilst Emma sorted out the ordering of the new electric meter and unravelled the billing for the old. She was also chasing the whereabouts of 30 lighting panels that had been mislaid by the Parcel Force somewhere between Hampton and Warsaw.

The only time I really spent on site today, Brad spent in his self-made prison cell. But, with judicious use of handsaw, by-and-by he was a free man.

The electricians, headed by Sam, were hard at work; mainly it would seem, swinging from the ceiling.


Nick

P.S. The 30 lighting panels have been found! Well, when I say found, I don't actually mean found. I mean there's a photo that's been released by Parcel Force that suggests that they've been delivered to a house with Victorian tile flooring, pale patterned curtains, an elaborate fire hearth and a black knobbly standard lamp stand in the environs of B92 0HA. If this is you, please let us know!

Day twenty. It's big door day.

It was also National Grid to the rescue day. They came back with a plan to get us around the paltry electrical supply we have inherited. The plan involves us taking an additional phase out of the multi service distribution board (MSDB) called Lucy (the MSDB is called Lucy, not the new phase; our phases are nothing to do with Eddie Stobbart). It will mean an additional meter and all the palaver that entails; but it will be worth it.

Meanwhile, Neal and Brad were routing, sawing and hanging the fantastic-looking Deanta walnut and black Crittal-style doors. What a difference this makes.

And, Angus switched on the water and baptised the marble wash basin. Amen.


Nick

Day nineteen. It's cryo try-out day.

With the installation of the cryo chamber completed by 10:30 it was time to try it out. And before you could say Nizhny Novgorod Lewis was down to his undies and was straight in!

I don't think that any of the tradespeople on site had seen anything quite like it - clearly that's not the sort of thing you expect to see on a building site. Thank you Lewis, for braving the elements!

Meanwhile, the door frames were being sorted by Brad and Neal.


Nick

Day eighteen. It's cryo day!

Having finally resolved to ditch the electric showers in favour of 'ordinary' ones, it was all go today as the cryo installation commenced.

I don't think either Emma or I had truly appreciated the size of the beast. Emma's first reaction was... 'We could hold a party in there!' I just think you'd end up giving people the cold-shoulder... Get it?... Okay, please yourself.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the divide, Robert and Rob and Mark were busy pressuring. I could hear references to kilopascals and such like. For those in the know, a kilopascal is 0.01 bar or approx. 7.5 mmHg... If that helps.

Also meanwhile, Angus is praying... 'Will your solder hold on the pipes of life, when the heater's on gratifying your wife?'. I've changed the lyrics ever so slightly; sorry Priscilla.

All sorts of other things happened today too numerous to mention. Probably the best one being the laying of the marble bowl upon the vanity unit. You can feel the quality fair oozing - just look at the width!


Nick

Day seventeen. It's sauna day!

What was supposed to be a grand day indeed was brought down to earth with a bump by The National Grid. They informed us that, firstly, it would cost at least £38,000 to increase the current pitiful supply of 69KVA to a still very paltry 140KVA as a brand-new supply was needed. Oh, and secondly, they could do nothing to upgrade the current supply as it's so outdated and does not conform to the current regs. But, they were very nice about it; like a jovial and jocular surgeon informing you you've only a week to live. The irksome thing is, the substation with the spare capacity that we need is not even 20 yards away!

And then with great pomp and ceremony the sauna was erected!


It's 3:30am on Thursday morning and I think the only way to solve what has now been termed 'the shower problem' - as these are the main culprits regarding the electrics - is to dispense with the Triton showers and install a 400l Megaflo that we will heat during the night. For those that are wondering, there's no gas on the estate.

Nick

But, the sauna is truly fabulous!

Day fifteen. It's shower panel day.

I'm telling you, those shower panels aren't half heavy - well done Neal and Brad; a grand bit of shifting and no mistake! Despite their weights (the panels that is; not Neal and Brad), by the end of the day all eight were up. The shower area will look magnificent when it's complete - we've got the surveyors for the bespoke frosted-glass doors and partitions coming tomorrow; they couldn't measure up until the panels were in place.

We've also got the sauna being installed tomorrow afternoon. So, between painting and directing the operations, Emma cleaned the new floor for them - nice touch, I thought.

She also showed me the bar tap.


Nick

Day fourteen. It's bar assembly day.

Emma was hard at work all day priming and painting. I didn't get any photos of her toils and troubles as I was equally battling with both Windows and SQL Servers with impunity - whoever she is.

In my abscess (malapropism), both the bar and vanity units were partially erected by Neal who has subsequently issued a decree to the effect that all trades visiting the site henceforth have been warned not to deposit anything 'au dessus' as they say in the Doudoune (malapropism).

The ironmonger has delivered, and Emma is impressed; it's got a nice feel - the door handles, that is; antique brass - No... aged bronze!

I need a day of the week.


Nick

P.S. Someone asked yesterday if we were keeping the lovely grey carpet tiles.

No!

Day twelve. The HBOT assembly continues. But there is a potential delay brewing. For reasons to do with pistons and the like, the heavy-duty acrylic door is stuck in the post - from Istanbul. When I asked how it's being shipped, the reply was, "About 35mm!". It's been that sort of day and the Sun's not yet over the yardarm. I'll keep you posted as to how things are going on the door score.

Work continues on the plumbing. Angus fitted the cleaner's sink today. I suggested he posed for a photo and he almost too readily assumed the Baron Kitchener of Khartoum look. The pipework for the new water heater was being installed by Jez.

There was good news today regarding the shower panels; they will be arriving mid next week! For those wishing to know, we are getting Multipanel, Onyx Marble from the 'Linda Barker Collection' (https://www.multipanel.co.uk/products/bathroom-wall-panels/linda-barker-collection/onyx-marble/). "Who's Rachel?"


Nick

Day eleven. It's door framing, plastering and HBOT assembling day.

I have to say that the HBOT is one hell of a big bit of kit. When I look at it; the thickness of the aircraft-grade aluminium and the size and number of bolts, it reminds me of some film I once saw in which there was a line that went something like, "...it's not the size of it that bothers me, it's what they are keeping in there!"

Neal and Brad have both turned their attentions to the doors and the door frames - really looking forward to seeing the walnut doors in place.

I forgot to photograph the replaced window yesterday (the one that we had removed to allow the HBOT chamber to be brought in). The naysayer glazing companies that said that the removal of the window was not possible without the removal (and possible scrapping) of the whole of the front aspect including the main door, take note. Thanks again Ant from Wilson Fire and Security.


Nick

Day ten. I've not been on site over the weekend as I ensconced myself in programming; I'm pulling my hair out over recurring card transactions and a certain payment gateway!

So, going in today and seeing the progress was quite a moment. The internal stud walls are now all in place and being skimmed as I write (13:27). For the first time you get a true sense of how the layout will work, and thank the Lord, it does.

The majority of the doors have also arrived, and wow, what a difference they are to the existing very officey, time and grime weathered oak(ish) doors. They are due to be hung later this week, I believe.

The HBOT chamber is awaiting the return of Henshaws; the exact date of which is still somewhat up in the air, as they say.


Nick

Day seven - St. Henshaw's day.

Today we took delivery of the Henshaw Duoplace hyperbaric oxygen chamber. Well, most of it. There's the compressor, the two oxygen concentrators, the chiller and the door still to materialize.

The pictures speak from themselves - I've only just emerged from a state of mild panic. I'll remove the skidmarks (or are they tramlines?) tomorrow.


I'm off to the pub. I might be gone a long time.

Nick

Day six. Henshaws contacted us this morning with a request to drop off some stuff prior to the main HBOT chamber delivery tomorrow. Of course we accommodated them, but it meant some delicate negotiation with the trades on site as we were fully-loaded today - the interior fitout chaps, the flooring fellows, the plumbing and heating bods... the list goes on.

What does lie under the shroud? Maybe we should refer to it as The Shroud of Hampton? Maybe we can have an exposition and welcome pilgrims in their droves from lands afar? Maybe not.

Back to more serious matters, the shower wastes were fitted today. The robustness and longevity of these is most important as inferior wastes fitted in the Bardello (our previous venture) showers were the bane of my life - lessons learnt.

We've just looked at the weather forecast for tomorrow's HBOT chamber delivery - pouring with rain! Give us a break.


I believe that St. Medard is the primary patron saint invoked for protection against bad weather, storms, and for favourable weather conditions. Typical, his feast day is 8 June.

Nick

Day five. Following a sleepless night with much weeping and gnashing of teeth, we have delayed the delivery of the cryo chamber and the sauna to on or around 19 February (this year!); we couldn't risk them being delivered whilst we were in such upheaval. Many thanks indeed to Dirk from RP-X and Milly from Sunlighten and their colleagues for being so accommodating.

The HBOT chamber, however, is a different story altogether for a couple of reasons. Firstly, now is probably the only opportunity we have to temporarily remove the main-door's side window - it needed to come out to allow the huge 2-person HBOT chamber to come in, even though it breaks down into in four parts - What a porker! Oh, and don't worry, we have a steel roller shutter for total security and the window's being re-instated just as soon as the chamber's been delivered - delivery is still scheduled for this Friday. And many thanks to Ant from Wilson Fire & Security Systems for making the window removal operation so very painless.

The second reason; I'm afraid that I can't say right now - maybe at some time in the future; it will all be in the book ;)

By the way, it's Testily Taupe - photos tomorrow.


Nick

Day four. Some real progress was made, particularly in the long dividing wall and the shower plumbing.

There were also a few changes, the main one being the shower channel drain system that we had intended to use. For reasons with which I won't bore you rigid, we are going back to the old reliable which means the mother of all waste pumps - it'll be an up-and-over in technical parlance.

When the day was about done, Emma took the opportunity to test a few paint colours destined for the lounge walls. Bearing in mind that we will be having light-coloured oak floors and walnut part-glazed doors with antique bronze handles, the choices were, in no particular order, Overly Olive, Terribly Taupe and Coursely Mashed Truffle.

On a more serious note, Emma and I retreated home, via M&S Food (Thai curry and eastern hors d'oeuvres - good choice), to contemplate the sense of having both the HBOT and the cryo chambers arriving this Friday and the sauna the following Monday when we are very likely to still be a building site.


Nick

Day three. We had to fit the floor under the cryo, HBOT and sauna earlier than you would normally lay a floor in a fitout as the heavy equipment is due in on Friday this week. Jamie and Kev from JG flooring did a wonderful job as always.

Progress on the rest of the fit out was a bit slow as Jamie needed plenty elbow room as well as peace and quiet - It's a meditative thing this laying of the floor, so I'm informed. I believe we did the right thing and left them in peace for the day.


Nick

Neal and Brad from NAJ Interiors continue their labours whilst Emma and I entertain a guild of traders (is that the correct collective noun?).

Firstly, James the plumber wants to talk to us about channel drains, pumps (macerators, not gym), and spigots.

Secondly, Jamie wants to deliver the flooring and talk about thresholds and lipping.

Thirdly, Alan wants to talk about mellow lights behind the signage but the conversation quicky turns to appalling wind, Philip Larkin, sunburn in a most intimate place, and the bells and smells of the Catholic Church.

It's all go, and no mistake!


It's the weekend tomorrow and Emma has threatened to paint the walls that are destined to be behind the HBOT, sauna and cryo as Jamie, the flooring chap, is coming on Monday to lay the floor under said items as their delivery is imminent.

Nick

The days of reckoning are upon us. Both NAJ Interiors Ltd, the interior fit-out contractor, and Synergy Group Services, the electrical contractor, started work today. What a relief as both the HBOT and cryo chambers are now due for delivery to us on 6 February.

The idea is to get the electrics for the HBOT, cryo and sauna ready today and make a start on laying out the channels for the stud walls in the main area and cracking on with the walls for the red light therapy rooms.

Here's how they got on. Facetious and impertinent commentary notwithstanding.


Roll on tomorrow; what wonders it will harbinger.

Nick

Jamie from JG Flooring was around today to show us the waterproof commercial flooring options from Quickstep. The choice was easy; it was Majestic for the lounge and Muse for the changing, shower and wet area.

We then popped a new lighting unit in place to see what it looked like. It was like magic, the panel went straight in, no fuss, and the look was fabulous. Therefore, all full lighting panels will be removed and replaced with edge-light panels... easy peasy lemon squeezy!

Nick

Having had a tip-off from a chap at Furniture Village on Sunday, yesterday (Monday) we paid a visit to the NEC and attended the January Furniture Show 2026.

We were on the lookout for contract (commercial) furniture with the correct fire ratings (CRIB5 - one wonders what happened to CRIBs 1 to 4). We arrived in hope as it was advertised that at least eleven exhibitors were the purveyors of contract furniture.

We left despondent... Not one! I repeat, not one!

Emma and I were up at 4am with heads in hands. Then we came across Laing and Eimil based in London and by 1:30pm we were in their Enfield showroom with cups of tea in hand and being hosted by Rhona. What a find for those 'posh' establishments needing CRIB5 furniture that is neither a Chesterfield nor looks like the sort of utilitarian thing you find in a typical hotel lobby, doctors waiting room or apartment rental. What a relief!

Nick

Yesterday was a day of meetings; at Tibbatts, the interior designers, and the proposed builders in the morning and at the venue in the afternoon with the electricians and flooring contractors.

A number of technical issues were resolved, and it all now feels like it's coming together - it better had do because the suppliers of both the cryotherapy chamber and the hyperbaric oxygen chamber have both expressed a wish for us to take delivery sooner rather than later!

Nick

What fun we had today. We just had to visualise the new layout to see if it worked and by George, it did!

You are standing in front of a pyramid, around you is a desert...

Nick

Completion date has arrived - we officially have the keys!!






Now it's a case of waiting for the final design brief from Tibbatts (estimated week commencing 12 Jan 26) and the subsequent estimate from the building firm TBD and confirmation of costs by us and the quantity surveyor TBD (estimated week commencing 19 Jan 26).

Nick

The Sunlighten 5-seater sauna has been delivered! It's not in the actual venue yet as we don't take possession of the new premises until 2 January 2026 and even then, if we did store it there it would be in the way of the fitout that will commence early in the New Year. So, we have it safely stored in a nearby storage unit. We had it delivered early to take advantage of a reduction in costs if we could take delivery this year - Sunlighten apparently needed to free up some space in their warehouse and of course would like to bolster their end of year figures.

Nothing, however, quite goes to plan!

On the basis of the size of the three boxes that Sunlighten confirmed the sauna came packaged within, and particularly the box for the "Front/Back Wall: 2,280mm W x 1,970mm D x 2,700mm H", we organised a 20ft storage container for three months - well you would, wouldn't you? You'd have to! We imagined that it would be delivered in a lorry; forklift and all that. So, when 'Alex' told me he was 10 minutes away and informed me he was in a small white van, I thought he must be joking and fully anticipated the arrival of an 18-wheel low-loader, at the very least. Neil, Emma and I were on standby to help the crew of four from Sunlighten unload the gargantuan boxes.

2 minutes later, the storage unit manager informed us that that a small van was approaching from the South. Can't be them. Yes, it was. The box in question was not 2,700mm H but 270mm H!!! The crew of four was 'Alex' and 'Friend of Alex', and the forklift was a washing machine dolly with a wonky wheel.

For crying out loud, we could have stored the thing at home in our garage and saved ourselves the best part of £500 for the container and £90 for the insurance.

Good start. Onwards and upwards; I'm sure it will look magnificent when erected.

Nick

Just finished the first design concept meeting with Adrian and Megan from Tibbatts Abel. Their suggestions were spot on - millionaire's superyacht here we come!

Emma and I loved the feeling of relaxation and calm that their proposed ideas will evoke through their choices of tones, textures and lighting. The idea of introducing an appreciable element of wood into the overall interior design concept is clever and we have no doubt will work extremely well. The lounge, with its superyacht-style central relaxation area, is going to look absolutely magnificent - a place within which opulence will ooze without restraint. We also can't wait to see how the shower, changing, cryo, sauna and vanity area will look - stunning I can only imagine!

Here's the latest layout and the concepts that they proposed:






Can't wait to see concepts like this is the flesh as it were - Roll on Spring 2026!

If I don't post in the meantime, have a great Christmas and New Year.

Nick

All the major pieces of equipment have now been officially ordered.

This includes:

• Mecotec Cryo:one+ 2-person whole body cryotherapy chamber
• Henshaw Duoplace 2-person 2.0 ATA hyperbaric oxygen chamber
• Sunlighten mPulse Empower 5-person infrared sauna
• 2 x Idealight red light therapy beds and canopies

It's been one hell of an expensive day. Emma and I need a stiff drink!

Nick

Great news, today we signed the lease on the new venue. We are in! At least from 2 January 2026.

We've now got the challenges of the design and fitout. We've officially engaged Tibbatts Abel as the interior designers and fitout company - can't wait to see their ideas. What I do know is this; that those who are familiar with the fitouts of super yachts, and in particular their lounges, will not be disappointed.

We've also started the process of the official orders for all the equipment - we could not technically do this until the lease was signed. Today we have given the thumbs up to; RP-X, the cryo supplier; Henshaw, the HBOT supplier; Sunlighten, the sauna supplier; and Idealight the red light bed supplier.

That's an order of a couple of hundred £K. Ouch! But no expense spared on this.

Nick

The premises lease, like we had at Bardello, is outside the protection of the Landlords and Tenants act. This means, like Bardello, the landlord can chuck us out at the end of the lease - we have no security of tenure.

There's not much we can do. If we challenge it, we are likely to lose the premises. So, we made haste to the local solicitor's and for the princely sum of £5 had the stat. dec. stamped.

No sign of the actual lease, though.

Had each of the equipment suppliers and the interior design company contacted me this week to see what's going on. Both Laurence from RP-X, who are supplying the Mecotech cryotherapy chamber, and Chrissy from Henshaw's are keeping units on hold for us and have done so for some months! Also, Adrian and Megan from the design company Tibbatts Abel, are also rightly chomping at the bit. I don't think that I've mentioned that Adrian et. al. did the fabulous interior design for the very first Bardello in Damson Lane, Solihull back in 2009. They all seem quite cool and used to these delays; I, however, am rapidly going grey.

Nick

To be fair, they just deleted a lot of the needless stuff. There were a couple of things that were still unclear and they needed to be reminded of the car parking again. Banged our thoughts back within an hour or so.

Nick

Just as I thought that things were about to start going smoothly (I spoke to the solicitor for the other side and was told that the head lease changes have been agreed) we are now told that the pension fund, the other landlord (yes, we have two landlords), wants to become actively involved in the lease and they have their own solicitor who will no doubt want to add their two penneth.

Nick

Surely a week is enough?

It would have been except there's a head lease. I didn't mention is because it's just too boring. But now it's reared its ugly head. There needs to be changes to this - a deed of variation. We just have to wait.

Nick

Version 2 looks quite good to me, they've done all that we've asked. Except...

...parking provision. I've pinged it back. I hope that we are not going to come unstuck over this. The issue is presumably that the two buildings comprising Station Court have effectively been occupied by one company for many years and who receive few visitors - they are a car fleet management company. We, on the other hand, have to ensure that our customers know where to park and provision is made just for them. I've got a horrible suspicion that even the land registry plans will be of little help.

Why do the simplest things seem to result in such gnashing of teeth?

Nick

It's been a busy one today. We have now received the lease. We are acting for ourselves, I am well practiced at unravelling the unpunctuated prose and obstruse wordery notwithstanding anything to the contrary.

Digested it quickly, it wasn't too taxing, lots of guff, but there are a few alterations that we will need, the car parking provision being one. This may sound trivial, but I'm a expert at this really important aspect as I had to deal with all manner of car parking issues at each of the Bardello locations (we only had 98 in Damson Lane and about 150 in Monkspath!).

Sent our initial comments back. Now we wait.

Nick

Apart from a couple of very minor amendments, the heads of terms that we've received look good. Next stop, the lease.

Nick

We've just heard from John Shepherd Commercial that the landlord has accepted our offer! What great news.

Now we move to establishing the heads of terms then onto the lease itself.

Nick

Today at 10:14 we made a formal offer on Station Court!

We have set a commencement date of 31 December 2025. This gives us a couple of months for fitout and equipment installation before the hoped for opening date of mid-March 2026.

Now we wait.

Nick

Today at 12:30 we had what looks like a very positive viewing at a 2,000 sq ft modern office block in Hampton-In-Arden - one of the units at Station Court. You can see it here on John Shepherd Commercial's site: https://shepcom.com/property/unit-1-building-b-station-court-old-station-road-solihull-west-midlands-b92-0ha/

You can grab a copy of the brochure at images/blog/4c6b7ef3442fe75b0cefcbca3b1622f5.pdf

Here's a few photos:

Nick

Why not have a butcher's at Arden Forest Wellness: A Short History.

Nick