NIRVANA CLOSES

The award-winning Nirvana Beauty and Day Spa on the outskirts of Coleraine closed for the last time on Saturday.

Management of the Isle Road complex said they were “devastated” by the decision to close due to the current economic downturn.

A statement from Nirvana, said: “With great regret the award winning Coleraine Day Spa ‘Nirvana’ has had to close its doors for the last time due to the current economic climate.

“Nirvana would like to thank all its loyal customers and the local business community for their support over the past eight years.

“Special thanks needs to go to all the Coleraine borough councillors who were exceptionally supportive during Nirvana’s existence.

“The councillors made tremendous efforts in helping Nirvana with its planning permission as well as its business development.”

At the height of its success, Nirvana employed 15 people and circulated business e-mails to 15,000 clients.

The business was run by Brenda Todd and won many tourism and beauty awards, including a five star rating from the ‘Good Salon Guide”.

Recently featured on BBC Countryfile and on a Japanese tourism broadcast, the spa attracted many thousands of tourists and local people through its doors.

Nick Hewer from the BBC ‘The Apprentice’ was recently in Nirvana filming for a new television series about rural diversification called Farm Fixer which will be broadcast this autumn.

Brenda Todd, the owner of Nirvana, told The Coleraine Times: “Despite rescaling the business and a reduction of the opening hours the fall-off in customer spending exacerbated by the current climate for demanding unreasonable discounts has led to the business being overwhelmed by ever increasing overheads.

“This is devastating as our guestbook is full of glowing comments from visitors who said that the Nirvana experience had made them feel fantastic.

“I would also like to thank our current excellent staff who have been loyal employees and cooperated fully with us in making this difficult decision”.