North East Fitness and Fashion Titans Join Forces

NEWCASTLE’S much-loved City Baths has partnered with national department store John Lewis to host the ultimate health and wellbeing retreat in the city centre.

Taking place on Wednesday, October 12 from 6pm-9pm, guests will enjoy a complete approach to feeling good with energising exercise classes, skincare demonstrations, style showcases and more – all under one roof at The City Baths.

Alongside a mix of The City Baths’ most popular exercise classes, John Lewis’s expert personal stylists will be on hand throughout the evening to showcase the latest fitness and leisure wear, as well as some of the most sustainable clothing brands available in its Newcastle store, including Thought and Baukjen.

There’ll also be experts demonstrating the ultimate beauty and skincare must-haves from favourite brands including Clarins, Elemis, Liz Earle and Dyson.

Anthony Cawley, chief executive of The City Baths operator Fusion Lifestyle, said: “As a leisure charity, we’re committed to keeping our local communities active however it’s so easy for life to get in the way.

“Given how tough the last few years have been, it feels even more important to remind people just how vital prioritising their health and wellbeing is. Through partnering with a national retailer like John Lewis, we hope to spread that message far and wide and remind people to take time for themselves.”

Of course, getting physical can help with more things than just the body.

Mental health charity Mind has pointed out that there are many studies which have shown that doing physical activity can improve mental health – something of particular importance given the past two years of the pandemic and lockdowns.

For example, physical activity has been shown to help with:

• better sleep – by making you feel more tired at the end of the day
• happier moods – physical activity releases feel-good hormones that make you feel better in yourself and give you more energy
• managing stress, anxiety or intrusive and racing thoughts – doing something physical releases cortisol which helps manage stress

Being physically active also gives your brain something to focus on and can be a positive coping strategy for difficult times.

Organisers of The City Baths x John Lewis event say the combination of physical exercise with feelgood beauty and wellbeing demonstrations will be the perfect pick-me-up for people in the city.

Anthony added: “The City Baths is a real community resource – right in the heart of the city where people can escape the stresses of everyday life.

“It’s been loved by generations of Geordies, and we can’t wait to open it up and invite more people along to discover the ultimate health and wellbeing retreat.”

Following its closure to the public in 2013, the Grade II listed City Baths was saved by leisure charity Fusion Lifestyle who invested more than £7.5m into sensitively restoring the facility and bringing it back into use for the local community.

The iconic building, located just off Northumberland Street, is now home to a luxurious swimming pool, poolside sauna and a state-of-the-art gym and fitness suite with studios.

Sarah Parr, selling team manager at John Lewis Newcastle, said: “From our partner and customer wellbeing initiatives to our curated selection of high-performance products that make everyday life just that little bit easier, we understand the importance of health and wellbeing.  

“Self-care is more than just bubble baths and facemasks – it’s how you look after your health, your sleep, your nutrition… the list goes on.

“We’re proud to be joining forces with the team at The City Baths to shine a light on health and wellbeing – both physical and mental – and help people discover a feelgood approach to feeling good.”

And while rising costs continue to be a key consideration for savvy shoppers, the John Lewis team will also be chatting with guests about its recently launched FashionCycle initiative. Alongside its established BeautyCycle programme, the My John Lewis member scheme encourages customers to bring pre-loved items into store to be resold or recycled, offering a £5 voucher in exchange as a thank you.

Spaces at the event are limited with tickets ranging from FREE general admission to £5 which includes event admission plus exclusive access to one of The City Baths’ popular fitness classes such as yoga, kettlebells, aquafit or a twilight swim.  

The City Baths will also be fundraising for MIND Charity on the evening, as well as hosting fitness challenges and competitions for guests.

Find out more and book tickets via: www.city-baths.co.uk/the-city-baths-x-john-lewis.