Zenchi Clinic near Tarporley celebrates first year in business

Sep 15 2011 by Barry Ellams, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

JUGGLING a relatively new business venture with hectic family life would be a challenge for even the most proactive of us, but not for Cheshire businesswoman and body treatment extraordinaire Nicky Abell-Francis.

The mum-of-one, originally from Brighton, opened Zenchi Therapy Clinic in Clotton near Tarporley, in September 2010, introducing a range of relaxing and healing body treatments to the people of Cheshire.

“I’ve always been interested in body treatments both inside and out, which are really important to maintain health and peace of mind,” said Nicky.

“Whether you’re a new mum or a triathlete, or a busy professional needing time out, we’ll have a treatment to improve your wellbeing.”

Nicky first developed her interest in therapy whilst holding down a part time job in library service – the hours allowed her to broaden her knowledge and research her growing interest in biology and complementary healthcare.

At just 20 she took over a beauty business at a major health club in Brighton, and quickly expanded to a second salon in local village of Rottingdean on the South coast during the 80s.

She later left the beauty business to pursue her interest in sports therapy, working part time at University of Brighton in their sports department whilst studying Shiatsu at European School of Shiatsu based in St John’s Wood, part of the School of Oriental medicine.

It was here that Nicky was inspired to look at more foreign styles of body work and Eastern medicine such as Thai and Balinese.

“Having come from Brighton originally, I could see that specialised treatments like those we offer at Zenchi tend to start off down South and then spread up here, which is what inspired to set up the new clinic in Cheshire in the first place” added Nicky, who moved to Chester in 2001.

Balancing work with family life is a challenge she relishes, despite it proving difficult from time to time.

“The hardest part of it all is balancing the business side of things with my home life,” said Nicky.

“Being in charge of a business is very demanding but I try to leave weekends free to spend quality time with my family.”

With a wealth of experience under her belt, running Zenchi Clinic allows Nicky to draw all these different elements of her experience together. Her passion and dedication seem to have no limits and she says she would ‘love to see regular massage taught as part of the school curriculum’.

“Experimental lessons with yoga and massage have been tested at my daughter’s school and the children absolutely loved the fun, interactive approach which at the same time educates them from a young age the importance if maintaining a healthy body.”

And to celebrate the first year of Zenchi Clinic, Nicky will hold an open day on September 24 from 10am-3pm and everyone is welcome.