Always on
This project successfully funded on 18th May 2025, you can still support them with a donation.
Yogafurie 2.0! // Hot Yoga Studio // Licensed Cafe
Bristol, Bristol City, United Kingdom
Aim: Join us on our journey to resuscitate Yogafurie! Your support will enable Claire and Ally to bring back a much loved community space.
Join our Journey!
We are looking to raise £40,000 to bring a much loved and much missed community space back to life!
In July 2024, Yogafurie, a Bristol-based hot yoga studio, sadly entered administration after 10 years in business. Claire and I were regulars at the studio and, like so many Yogafurians, devastated to lose such a cherished part of our weekly routine. At the end of 2024, we came to an agreement with the liquidators of Yogafurie Ltd to purchase the assets and IP of the business. At the same time, we came to an agreement, subject to contract, with the studio's landlord, Persimmon Homes, to take on the lease of the studio from March 2025.
Incredibly excited by the opportunity and what the future might hold, we've spent the last few months preparing to open the doors of the studio. Our vision is to retain the unique qualities that drew Claire and I to become members of Yogafurie - vibrant and outstanding teaching; a warm and welcoming environment; and an ethical approach to business. We also have big plans to build on what was already a fantastic studio experience:-
- Yogafurie will be the most inclusive and forward thinking yoga studio space in the UK. You can expect to see free yoga classes for the 'single homeless' (people living in supported and temporary accommodation), trauma-informed classes, and lighting that is welcoming for neurodivergence. Want a dedicated time to do some downward dogs with your therapy pooch? We've got you covered!
- Introducing a cafe bar, serving high quality locally sourced coffee and cakes; salads and smoothies; and - reflecting our passion for craft beer (Ally) and wine (Claire) - a top notch alcoholic offering!
- Friday and Saturday night 'boiler room' yoga! Seeking those Hacyenda vibes but without the 5am finish? Get your groove on in the studio - no dancing shoes required!!
- Yogafurie will continue to be so much more than just a yoga studio. Soothing sound baths will calm your mind and - when we expand to studio 2! - you will be able to boost your soul in a sauna or ice bath.
Why we need your donation
After protracted lease negitiations, the studio landlord, Persimmon Homes, confirmed with us on March 3rd - three days after we had expected to take on the lease, that they were withdrawing their lease offer as they had decided to sell the unit.
By this point, we had spent months, and thousands of pounds, planning to open - we held numerous meetings to assemble a teaching team; set up IT systems; registered as a new Ltd company; appointed and worked with an accountant and solicitor; and made payment towards the purchase of the IP and assets of Yogafurie Ltd. I had also left my job, and was all set to operationally manage the studio day-to-day.
We are now looking into our options, and we need your support to keep the Yogafurie dream alive.
What next for the Ashley Down Road studio, and where next for Yogafurie?
Persimmon will soon be putting the studio up for sale. As a new business sadly we are not in a position to put our hat in the ring.
We are hopeful that the buyer will want to lease the unit to us, though - it is, after all, all set up and ready! We're also aware of some interest from the Yogafurie community in purchasing the unit as a commercial investment.
Whilst keeping our fingers crossed for Ashley Down Road, there are no guarantess. We are actively looking into alternative opportunities - we've viewed a number of commercial units, and we've met with the owners of another Bristol yoga business who are looking to hand over their studio.
It is a strong preference for us to have any new studio located in a similar geographic area to Ashley Down Road.
What will your donation pay for?
Your money will enable us to:-
- If required, remove and store the studio heating system and other yoga and business equipment from the Ashley Down Road unit, ready for it's next adventure!
- Continue to run our new business, Yogafurie Group Ltd, as a going concern, meeting the monthly running costs and contributing towards the set up costs for any new studio.
- Allie Hill, founder of the hugely successful Yoga Haven chain of hot yoga studios across the Midlands, London and the South-East, has kindly offered to provide Claire and I with business mentorship. Your donation will enable us to tap into Allie's expereince and expertise, to help make Yogafurie not only sustainable but a thriving business for the long term.
What you will receive in return for your donation?
Fundamentally, you will receive the immense satisfaction of knowing that you made it possible for this wonderful community space to be brought back to life. You will also know your donation has made yoga more accessible for people who experience multiple disadvantages in our society.
And then there are perks! You will receive:-
- 10% off annual membership (across all annual membership options)... for life!
- 10% off food and drink in the cafe...for life!
- 10% off at the Yogafurie shop...for life!
- And a lovely card that will tell our Yogafurie team that you are one of the legends that made all of this possible. :)
What now?
We haven't stopped believing, so please join us on the journey and donate what you can today!
Every pound we receive will make a difference and be hugely appreciated. There are nearly 4,000 people on the Yogafurie mailing list - if every person who receives the email with this Crowdfunder link donated £10, then we would smash through our funding target and be able to set up the business on a secure financial footing. We know not everyone can or will donate, but we also believe that through collective action we can make Yogafurie 2.0 a reality!
PLEASE NOTE:- When you click donate, there will be an option to select Donate or Reward. All of our donors will become Lifetime Legends, regardless of which option you choose!