Health Moves Onto The UK High Street
As the tide goes out on fast-casual dining, what is going to fill the gap it leaves on the UK’s high streets? The answer could be healthcare.
BUPA, the healthcare provider, is trailing what it hopes will be the first of a nationwide chain of pay-as-you-go clinics.
The 2K SF store at Marble Street, Spring Gardens, Manchester, is in the heart of the city’s old financial district.
BUPA has relocated 15 staff from a nearby outpost at Piccadilly. BUPA joins a small but growing list of high street therapists, until now largely dominated by dentists and sports therapists, with a smattering of NHS walk-in clinics.
4 Marble Street was designed to provide customers with facilities including six consultation rooms and an advanced health room, changing facilities and a shower room.
The new concept could be the first of a chain of such purpose-built locations throughout England as BUPA looks to establish a high street presence catering for the health and wellbeing requirements of its customers.
Colliers International acted as project manager on the three-month refurbishment of 4 Marble Street undertaken by specialist construction company ARDMAC.
The health centre was designed by London-based interior design and architectural practice lustedgreen.
The clinic raised some design challenges, not the least of which is muffling sound so that client confidentiality can be maintained in consulting rooms. The design team opted for acoustically rated plaster board and ceiling tiles.
