DOCTOR FISH WORK THEIR MAGIC

The new fast-growing foot treatment using Garra Rufa fish has hit Cheltenham with the opening of GarraSpa in Beechwood Shopping Centre.

The spa, the brainchild of business partners Ben Granger, a tropical fish breeder and Ty Donat, a psoriasis expert, opens on Beechwood’s balcony level.

They felt the spa town was an ideal location for their flagship store and hope their presence will help further raise the profile and add a new dimension to the shopping centre’s tenant mix.

Although therapeutic Garra Rufa fish treatment it only really hit the headlines in the UK last year. It is now rapidly growing in popularity and GarraSpa’s Beechwood location is the first high street outlet of its type in Cheltenham although its clients already include Champneys and Center Parcs health spas.

Discovered in the early 1800s, Garra Rufa fish are well-known to be beneficial in battling skin conditions, muscle trauma and joint disease, as well as rheumatic and neurological disorders. People suffering from psoriasis report real results after sessions with the fish in spa waters.

Current trends are now creating great interest and a growing market for the effect they have on polishing the feet for pedicures.

The fish originate from mineral springs in Turkey where their health benefits were discovered and once hands or feet have been placed in the warm water, the doctor fish begin to investigate, nibbling away at dead skin cells and hard skin to leave the treated areas silky smooth.

Ben Granger, 30, who lives in Plymouth with his wife and young family, emphasises that the fish have no teeth, so there is no pain involved in the treatment, just a gentle massage sensation that feels like little bubbles. “Imagine your feet being in dipped in a glass of champagne,” he said.

“On top of receiving a gentle pedicure the fish have also got healing properties. The fish have a natural enzyme in their saliva called diathanol that heals the skin and this is good for eczema and psoriasis.

“We recommend that clients spend 20 minutes with the fish to get the full benefit. The treatment is 100 percent natural, offering a holistic manicure or pedicure.

“All our clients need to do is come in, sit down and put their feet in the spa.”

The cost is £15 for 20 minutes or £25 for 30 minutes.