TGT Meets...Christchurch Business Awards - Bridge Health & Wellbeing

Meet our latest TGT Meets feature: Bridge Health & Wellbeing, proud finalists in the Health, Beauty & Wellbeing category at the Christchurch Business Awards.

1. Congratulations on your Christchurch Business Awards win. Which category were you recognised in?

We were delighted to win Gold in the Health, Beauty & Wellbeing category this year. Having previously won New Business of the Year in 2022, Outstanding Business of the Year in 2023 and My Favourite Business Gold and Silver Family Business of the Year in 2024, it was an honour to add another category win to our collection.

2. What is the history and background of your business?

A husband-and-wife team, we opened the doors to our bespoke health and wellbeing clinic in 2019. Having spent years working for other companies, we wanted to create a unique health and wellbeing space that brought our physiotherapy and Pilates skills together to deliver an integrated, personal service. We support our clients throughout their entire wellbeing journey, from dealing with injury or resolving pain to maintaining strength and fitness.

3. Who is your target market? How do you reach and engage with them?

We are a friendly, family-run clinic located in the heart of Christchurch, Dorset. We work with clients in Christchurch and beyond to help them get better, build strength, and feel happy and healthy in their mind and body. Whether clients need help with pain or an injury, or just want to stay fit and healthy, we can help.

From our state-of-the-art clinic on Bridge Street, Christchurch, we offer physiotherapy, chiropractic, sports massage and rehabilitation services, and Pilates, yoga, and other wellbeing classes. We regularly run free talks on topics such as hip pain, knee pain and back pain to support the everyday health of residents. We also run free wellbeing events to bring local businesses and local people together.

4. What are the biggest challenges you've faced in building your business, and how have you overcome them?

Covid was a huge challenge for our business. After just a few months, we had to close our doors completely and transfer our services online. But gradually, we were able to welcome clients back and restart our business.

The past six years have been a rollercoaster, but we have come through it still believing in our unique, integrated approach to health and wellbeing. Over the years, we have continuously invested in our facilities, adding a shockwave machine, new gym equipment and Pilates Reformers. Last year, we opened a second studio, allowing us to run Pilates Reformer and mat-based Pilates classes simultaneously, providing local people with more choices of times and activities. We now run 35 classes per week, with most of them fully booked.

5. What’s your favourite part about working in Christchurch?

Christchurch is a fantastic community with many thriving small businesses. The community has been so supportive since we opened our doors in 2019.

We are proud partners of several sports clubs in and around Christchurch, including Christchurch Tennis Club, Wimborne Town Football Club and Weymouth Town Football Club. Each year, we raise funds for a local charity, including Parkinson’s UK (Christchurch), Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance and Chill Dorset.

6. Can you share any lessons learned or advice for aspiring professionals in your industry?

Patient care is at the heart of everything we do, ensuring our clients understand their injuries and what is needed to recover and improve their health and wellbeing. We encourage them to take responsibility and do their ‘homework’. We genuinely care about our clients and see them as part of our extended family.

7. What role do you believe local recognition, such as the Christchurch Business Awards, plays for businesses in Dorset?

The awards are crucial for bringing local businesses together and celebrating our success. It is easy to forget how much we have to be proud of. The awards provide the business community with an opportunity to pause, reflect on what we have achieved, and move forward with renewed positivity and enthusiasm. It is always such an inspiring event that we look forward to every year.

We have been a sponsor of the awards since they launched in 2022, and it is an honour to play our part in supporting the brilliant businesses in our area. A massive amount of time and effort goes into putting on the awards, and we thank the organisers, Marketing West, for all their hard work to celebrate business excellence in our community.