Wellness shouldn’t be a luxury
For too long, wellness has been treated as an indulgence — a treat reserved for weekends away at high-end spas. Finally, that mindset is changing. Across the UK (and beyond), local councils are beginning to recognize that wellness is a public necessity, not a private privilege. By investing in community spas, thermal facilities, and holistic wellbeing hubs, they’re promoting healthier lifestyles, supporting mental health, and even revitalizing local economies.
Community interest company Trafford Leisure has recently opened a unique public sector spa in Trafford, near Manchester - the 500sqm Cove Spa - one of only a handful of public sector spa offerings in the UK.
The Cove is situated in the Move Altrincham leisure centre, which recently reopened after a £20m transformation. The spa has four treatment rooms and a large thermal area, supplied by Sauna360 Ltd.
“ [It is] great to see public leisure non-profits improving the quality of their thermal experiences - really important for widening the access to the benefits of contrast bathing.”
-Gabrielle Reason, Director British Sauna Society (BSS)
This local investment follows the opening of Old Street Spa at the historic Ironmonger Row Baths in 2024.
The project was launched by Spa Experience, part of GLL (Greenwich Leisure Limited), which is a charitable social enterprise. They work in partnership with councils to deliver a quality service that local people can afford.
Old Street spa at Ironmonger Row Baths in Islington, offers unique and inspiring surroundings for anyone seeking an affordable, luxury spa treatment in London. The thermal baths were first introduced in the Victorian era and the aim was to embrace that heritage while introducing modern facilities and treatments.
“Our ethos focuses on affordable excellence, and making the facilities and treatments we offer accessible to all.” Says Melissa Evans, National Manager at Spa Experience.
Sauna360 designed and installed the thermal areas including saunas, aroma steam rooms, feature showers and ice fountain in the contemporary zone and hot rooms, cold plunge and massage slabs in the traditional zone with large relaxation areas in the centre.
“The number of thermal facilities on offer at IRB is very rare for a central London leisure centre. Our focus was to redesign the space into an upmarket, attractive London spa open to all.”
-Jeff Le Clos, Senior Commercial Manager at Sauna360.
Studies show that regular sauna use can ease stress, boost circulation, and speed up recovery—benefits that everyone should be able to enjoy, not just those who can afford expensive spa memberships. Bringing thermal experiences and wellness programs into community leisure centres and public gyms could make a huge difference, giving more people the chance to care for both body and mind.
Wellness isn’t a privilege—it’s a right. Everyone deserves the opportunity to feel well, recharge, and thrive.
Please note steam rooms are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.