A MASSAGE studio has reopened its doors to the public after being given the green light by Trading Standards, writes Rose Lock.

Pod Massage and Wellbeing Studio in Brighton’s Hanningtons Lane has been recognised as

coronavirus-secure by Brighton and Hove City Council.

The studio uses the latest technology in massage chairs so customers can enjoy a relaxing experience which is contact-free.

Pod was able to remain open for key workers during lockdown under the Government’s legal exemptions for non-essential retail businesses.

The studio is also a showroom for the chairs, which can be leased to other businesses.

Last week Trading Standards agreed the studio could open to the wider public after initially questioning which category the business sits in under the Government’s official guidance.

Founder Alex Collinson said: “It’s been pretty up and down but now we’re delighted to be fully open and to be the only officially registered Covid-secure massage studio in Brighton.

“There are six different programmes people can choose from in our massage pods, which help with different problems.

“Our massage chairs are the equivalent of having an hour with a therapist and they’re nothing like the ones you sometimes get in airports.

“We’re all about being really affordable and convenient, so you don’t have to book weeks in advance.

“We want to help people make wellbeing part of their regular routines.”

Brighton and Hove City Council’s Trading Standards team stated the business has been “very thorough” in covering all required areas for infection control and said Pod should be “considered outside the traditional massage category, and in effect unique”.

Alex said rigorous cleaning happens between massage sessions and the chairs are all wiped down and disinfected.

She also has a number of other safety measures in place, including staggering customers, cashless payments and limiting the number of people in the studio.

Alex said the massage pods can help anyone who is suffering with musculoskeletal issues or stress, and massages are tailored to each person as the chairs can measure the length and width of someone’s body.

She said: “A lot of people have been feeling really stressed as a result of this crisis for many reasons and there are a lot of people who would normally be seeing a chiropractor or massage therapists.

“There are also those who have been struggling working from home without the right set-up.

“I have been working on a bench at home and my posture is not great.

“The roller system in the chairs massages the upper body and neck, as well as massaging the lower lumbar, glutes and hamstrings – so even just 20 minutes in the pods can go really far.”

At the same time as the rollers, there are air bags which compress the arms and legs and help to promote blood circulation.

Customers can also listen to one of the studio’s audio therapies while in the massage pod, which puts the brain into a more relaxed state because of the frequencies of the sound.

Alex said: “The idea is that you don’t have to practise meditation to enjoy this, so it’s a mental rest from your day as well as getting the physical benefits.”

Pod is currently offering customers a special launch deal, with a 20-minute massage for £15 throughout July.

For more information about the studio or to book, go to elevateyourday.co.uk.