January target for yoga and wellness centre in Dunfermline

Susan David has plans to turn a former salon on Nethertown Broad Street into a wellness centre which, all being well, should open early in the New Year.

After a nomadic existence, she currently runs Breathe Yoga classes in Dunfermline High School, Fire Station Creative and Bannatyne's, the stressful search for a home for the business looks to be at an end.

Yoga instructor Susan David hopes her new studio and wellness centre in Dunfermline will be open in January. (Image: Contributed)

After so many false dawns, however, Susan won't be at peace until the paperwork is all in place and the keys are in her hand.

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She said: "I've lost out on many places. So many.

"I've had people not even willing to entertain me and show me some properties as they thought yoga wasn't a viable business.

"I teach 300 people a week, I have 17 classes and showed them the figures and the profit in black and white, but still no luck.

"I've had churches that agreed and then went back on it as they said yoga was religious. Which it's not.

"And three before that couldn't go through when Covid came along."

The premises at 11 Nethertown Broad Street were formerly occupied by Maxx Salon and Training Academy, which has moved to Ridge Way in Dalgety Bay.

The former Maxx Salon and Training Academy on Nethertown Broad Street in Dunfermline could soon be turned into a wellness centre. (Image: Google Maps)

It was the power of the Press that helped the search along as Susan explained: "I saw it just after the article I did in the newspaper so it was obviously meant to be.

"Duncan at Graham and Sibbald and the landlord had both read the article too and the landlord said he was happy to do the change of use.

"Let's face it they could have had a hairdressers in there in a heartbeat whereas this will take months."

Having got the ball rolling in October, she's hoping the change of use from beauty salon to yoga studio will be approved by Fife Council and that the Breathe Yoga and Wellness Centre will be ready to open in mid January / early February.

Susan said: "There's quite a bit to do. There's nothing like this in Dunfermline so I really want to make it a destination place, with underfloor heating and nice lighting.

"Other yoga teachers will be able to use it too as it's so difficult to get premises. I'll make it a total wellness centre."

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She continued: "Mindfulness is such a big thing and yoga takes you away from the stresses of work and life.

"We do breathing techniques at the start of every class and relaxation at the end of every class, it has so many benefits for the body and mind.

"So we're bringing peace and calm to the people of Dunfermline!"

Parking can be an issue in that area of the city and although there are spaces to the rear, many are designated for use by customers of the other businesses.

However, her application points out there is free parking nearby and they'll encourage use of public transport or, better yet for the physical and mental health, walking and cycling to classes.

Susan also gives classes to employees at TechnipFMC and puts on sessions for adults with additional support needs in Crossgates Community Centre.

Her business is rated in the top three yoga providers in Fife but she admitted that the new premises have put a real stretch on her finances.

She said: "I understand now why it's so difficult for small business to get up and running as the costs associated with this are way beyond what I thought.

"I reckon it will cost me £10,000 before I even turn the key in the door.

"There are planning fees, lawyers fees, a survey cost £1,200, I even had to pay another £162 for a 'bad neighbour' notification due to the hours we'd be open.

"Everything to do with commercial is just so much more money."