Well, this is a tough one to write and a sad one too...however, there is also a light at the end of the tunnel….. keep reading for updates on what is happening with The Studio.
We held our last classes at The Studio at the end of October.
A business that I chose to run because I loved it, it was never big business financially but that wasn't why I was there. I love teaching, I love fitness, I love people and I love the buzz of classes, the jokes, the camaraderie.
But a massive thing called Covid-19 hit us right where it hurts and unfortunately, the current studio is no longer a place we can afford to be.
Paul and I have made personal and financial sacrifices to give The Studio a chance but we just couldn’t keep financing it as it was.
20 months of restrictions, from lockdown after lockdown after lockdown, to what we're allowed to do now was just too much to claw back.
The lease is up on 30 November and our decision was made for us as the rent was going to be hiked right up! The numbers in the classes weren’t supporting The Studio as it was. With a huge increase in rent, it made it even less viable.
Not knowing how the situation with Covid is going to pan out in the near future, we had to think with our heads and not with our hearts.
So while I can’t have the building that The Studio was in, I do have a smaller studio that I will be moving to.
The Studio is not a place…..it’s the people that make it. We are an amazing fitness family and we are just moving to another space.
The new venue was supposed to be ready this November, however, due to shortage in materials, it won’t be ready until Feb/March next year.
In the meantime, we will be doing most of the fitness classes online and we also have some space at Avoncroft Arts Centre Main Hall where we will be teaching the evening Pilates sessions and early morning bootcamp sessions from going forwards. We are also starting some daytime morning sessions from there with effect from next week.
It is so sad for me to see The Studio being taken apart….the amount of work we have to do is immense …we have to put the unit back to how we had it!!
However, I have some great memories from there, met some fabulous people and made some lovely friends so I am excited for the next chapter.
Of course, all my current members who have supported me over the last 20 months either online or in person at The Studio were told of the changes a month ago. They had to know first. I knew that they would understand why we had to make these decisions and I can’t thank you all enough for your lovely words and support over this last month.
I understand that not everyone wants to do online and not all of you will be coming with me to the new venues but I do hope you continue with your fitness journey in some way.
It’s been very emotional for me hence why I have not posted this publicly before now and why I’ve not posted anything on soicial media for a while!
However, now is the right time to let you all know what is happening with The Studio and I will of course keep everyone updated with regards to the new venue and when we are able to open.
I will be selling some of the equipment that I won’t be taking to the new venues. I’ll post the details on my business Facebook page once I’ve sorted it out.
So that’s the update on The Studio.
We had a real blast last weekend in our last couple of classes. The energy was high, lots of fun and laughs too. It was a brilliant end at the old place and I am thankful that we went out with guns blazing and excited for all things fitness at our new venue next year.
Love Nicki xx
PS:If you are interested in joining us at Avoncroft for our early morning bootcamp sessions, Pilates or Fit 4 Life sessions, please contact Nicki at nicolacarless@aol.com.
