A Staffordshire wellness business is looking for new partners after rent increases and rising utility costs forced it to close its doors with the loss of two jobs.
Time To Float, which has been offering flotation therapy and other wellbeing services in Stafford for more than 10 years, will welcome its final clients at its Marston Road base on Sunday, 25 May.
And now owner Mark Smethurst is looking to explore partnerships with gyms, holistic health practices, wellness centres and other businesses in similar sectors across Staffordshire – particularly in Newcastle-under-Lyme or Hanley – and the wider West Midlands who could host a pod and keep flotation available in the region.
Mark, pictured above, said: “Like so many small businesses, we’ve been squeezed by the effects of a government that is increasingly out of touch with the challenges that small businesses face.
“In addition, our lease was due to end and our new landlord wanted to put up the rent by 85 per cent. We had to make the very difficult decision to close the doors.
“We have some amazing clients and have always offered a great service, so I started to think about how we could move forward, keep the legacy of the business alive and keep making people’s lives better.”
The business, which uses flotation to bring relief from conditions like back pain, fibromyalgia, anxiety and PTSD, is inviting anyone interested in a potential partnership to get in touch and is encouraging supporters to stay connected via social media for updates.
Mark added: “I have put blood, sweat and tears into that building and am very sad to leave it. But I am also excited to make this pivot and hopefully continue to serve our amazing customers and get flotation in front of more people.
“The power of collaboration is so underestimated. If this plan is as fruitful as it could be, it could be the best thing that could have happened.”
