A Suffolk college has opened up its spa and salon for free to help a fire-stricken business continue to operate. 

Riverhills Health Club and Spa in Bramford, which employs 50 members of staff, has been closed since June 23 after a fire began in the early hours of the morning.

Its managing director Dave Courteen said this week he is confident the business will be able to reopen in weeks rather than months, once it is able to restore power to the building. 

In the meantime, Suffolk New College has offered the business the use of The Zone Spa and Salon. 

Ipswich Star: Lee Mandley, with Debbie Lawes, Mary Gleave and Laura Knott,Lee Mandley, with Debbie Lawes, Mary Gleave and Laura Knott, (Image: Suffolk New College)

Riverhills spa manager Debbie Lawes said: “It’s been a really upsetting time.

 “Sometimes with bad news, good news happens and the community has rallied round. The college got in touch and asked us to come and have a look at their facilities and see if they were suitable to service some of our customers. 

“The upshot is that they have offered their salon and spa to us for free – it’s amazing. 

“We are really grateful and it’s a lovely gesture. We already have a close relationship with Suffolk New College and this link with further strengthen our bond.” 

The spa manager said the business will come back "bigger and better". 

Treatments will be available between Monday to Friday including facials, massages, pedicures, manicures, waxing and spa options and are due to start the week of July 17.

Ipswich Star: Debbie Lawes and Laura Knott from Riverhills with Mary Gleave and Lee Mandley inside some of the spa facilities at the Zone based inside Suffolk New CollegeDebbie Lawes and Laura Knott from Riverhills with Mary Gleave and Lee Mandley inside some of the spa facilities at the Zone based inside Suffolk New College (Image: Suffolk New College)

Lee Mandley, director of service industries and science at the college, said: “We saw what happened at Riverhills and it’s really sad and dreadful. They have been such a great employer partner to us over recent years and we wanted to reach out to see if we can help. We are really happy that they have taken our offer and are looking to use our facilities to service their clients. 

“It (gym and spas) is a sector that was on its knees a few years ago and we don’t want to see Riverhills or anybody else struggle when everything is getting back to normal.  

“By reaching out, we believe it was the human, friendly and community thing to do. We are grateful for their support over the years and we want to return the favour and do our bit to support Riverhills, their customers and clients.”