Sauna ‘back open for business’
THE TEAM behind the Haar Sauna at St Ninian’s say they are back open for business after temporarily closing earlier this month following a small fire.
Co-founder Hannah Mary Goodlad also said they have taken the opportunity during the break to “step up our safety culture and procedures even further”.
Fire fighters were briefly called out to the sauna on 3 November.
Goodlad described the incident as “controllable” and praised the actions of the staff member present.
“The main thing is that because of the safety culture that we have put in place from day one, our staff know exactly what to do if something happens,” she said.
“I’m so pleased that our staff kicked into action and nobody was hurt. Our staff acted brilliantly, and it was controlled very, very safely and quickly.”
The sauna reopened last week and is available again this weekend – with the wintry weather said to benefit the experience.
Goodlad said since the incident the sauna has been re-certified by an engineer, passing with “flying colours”, while a new flue has been installed too.
“This is a brand new business for Shetland. We’ve been so grateful with how it’s been received in Shetland as well,” she added.
“It’s targeting social isolation, mental health, wellness – we want to give our customers the confidence that Haar Sauna is back open for business. It’s as safe as it ever has been and we can’t wait to welcome people back again.”
Goodlad said that since opening around one year people have cross the threshold nearly 10,000 times, with the sauna used by many repeat customers.
She added that there has been a mix of local people and visitors using the facility, with a couple of tourists even saying they had come to Shetland just to try it out.
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However Goodlad said a key aim is for the sauna to be a local provision and that is part of the Shetland community.
She added that most people use the sauna to get some form of benefit for themselves – from social activity to alleviating symptoms of menopause.
Goodlad said there are a number of benefits to sauna use, including regarding circulation, insulin balance in terms of hormones, joints and mental health.
She added that in Norway – where she and fellow Haar founder partner Callum Scott live – saunas can effectively be prescribed as an “alternative therapy”.
Goodlad also said the Haar team approached NHS Shetland about the benefits of saunas earlier this year.
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