A group of Newcastle companies focused on health, beauty and wellbeing have joined forces to launch a new business hub in Sandyford.

The five-story Georgian townhouse, One Benton Terrace, which has a previously been a gym, a solicitors’ office and residential accommodation, is the new home of Saints hairdressers; novellus aesthetics, which offers everything from anti-wrinkle injections to lip augmentation; Dermafinity, which specialises in semi-permanent makeup; and Lumiere Light Therapies.

Featuring 11 rooms in total, plans are also in place for a sports therapy massage therapy training room, facilities for yoga and pilates, and a coffee shop in the reception area which, it is hoped, will attract passing trade, including that from nearby student accommodation.

The concept arose after hairdresser, John Snell, who first launched Saints on Collingwood Street in 1994, sought to get back to his first love after a spell of several years in the restaurant industry.

One Benton Terrace the centre for several wellbeing businesses. Pictured is John Snell
One Benton Terrace the centre for several wellbeing businesses. Pictured is John Snell

Mr Snell, who also used to run Collingwood Street’s Universal Exports Sandwiches, was the man behind Newcastle’s Two Fifths restaurant, before selling it in November last year. As result, Saints downsized considerably and moved premises.

“During that time, we of course lost clients - and a little bit of our mojo as well because we weren’t focused solely on hairdressing,” Mr Snell said.

“I decided I wanted to get back to that as it’s a great environment that’s friendly and happy and that cheers people up.

“I’ve known Dr Steven Land, from novellus aesthetics, for a number of years and he told me about the building.

One Benton Terrace the centre for several wellbeing businesses
One Benton Terrace the centre for several wellbeing businesses

“I thought it was beautiful but huge. I couldn’t afford it, but when Steven said he would be happy to take on a lease it made the whole thing a much better proposition.”

He added that a three-year plan for the premises was in place and that further development would take place “as and when we can afford it”.

“But the whole building already looks great,” he said. “Each room has its own distinct personality and looks different.

“What we want is for people to walk into any of them and, for different reasons, to say ‘wow’.”

One Benton Terrace the centre for several wellbeing businesses
One Benton Terrace the centre for several wellbeing businesses

Currently Saints has five hairdressers, each of whom are working on a self-employed basis.

As business progresses, however, Mr Snell is keen for that number to grow.

And, while there is room for more tenants at the new building, it is also hoped the existing businesses will some day be able to expand within it.

“It’s been a hard two or three years; the restaurant business is a tough one to be in,” Mr Snell said.

“But we’ve able to start again. It’s like 1994, except that we have more experience and a lot more clients.

“There is a synergy among the businesses here, the same as there is in any creative hub. And, if you’ve got creativity going in various directions related to wellbeing, that’s got to be a positive thing.”