Reform Studio will offer a range of fitness and wellness services from the Quayside
A new wellness destination in Newcastle has become the first company to get support from a business support scheme at the North East Combined Authority.
The North East Elevate Fund has provided backing for Reform Studio, which is opening at the Side, on the Quayside. The £35m Elevate Fund, which launched in October, is designed to support business growth and innovation across the region.
A five-figure investment from the fund has enabled Reform Studio to open a venue offering reformer pilates, barre, yoga and sound healing classes. The studio is set to open in January.
The fund is part of the North East Fund and managed by FW Capital, with Reform Studio marking the first funding deal to be announced from the North East Fund’s new programme.
North East mayor Kim McGuinness said: “This first deal from the North East Elevate Fund is a landmark moment for our region.
“Reform Studio embodies the ambition and innovation we want to see in the North East, and I’m proud to champion a fund that invests in businesses creating jobs and opportunities for local people. By supporting ventures like this, we’re building a healthier, more vibrant future for everyone in our communities.”
Reform Studio has been created by Victoria Darroch, who has left a job in finance to set up the new venture.
She said: “After years of burnout, stress, and searching for spaces that felt both grounding and inspiring, I left the corporate world to build something Newcastle hasn’t seen before.
“Reform Studio brings movement and mindfulness in one unique multi-floor destination on Newcastle’s iconic Quayside, all designed to create a full mind–body experience.”
Ruby Knowles, assistant investment executive at FW Capital, added: “Reform Studio is set to become Newcastle’s new home of modern wellness, featuring the city’s largest Pilates studio with dual classes, sound healing, outdoor flows, and more. Victoria has a well-developed business plan and has invested heavily in the project.
“Prior to starting her own business, she was a high performing accountant with years of experience. She has hired a team of experienced instructors and professionals, ensuring a smooth launch. Reformer Pilates is a sector that has seen a significant level of growth in its popularity over the last few years and in Newcastle it is a market relatively untouched with only few competitors compared to other major cities.
“Assisting dynamic businesses like this is what the North East Elevate Fund has been created for – to stimulate growth and create jobs. It’s a fantastic first example of how the fund can make a real difference in boosting success.”
More information about the North East Fund and its Elevate and Accelerate funds can be found at https://www.northeastfund.org/.
