This year we’re shining a light on our neighbouring independent businesses in Chapel Allerton.

Just walk down the Harrogate Road and you’ll find a great selection of independent shops and businesses for all your gift, food and well-being needs

This week we’re focusing on Bloc Studio, a new reformer pilates studio run by Hannah & Katie.

To get to know Bloc Studio a little bit more, here’s a little interview I did with Hannah & Katie…

Tell me a little bit about yourself & your business, including team members:

We are Hannah & Katie – the owners of BLOC STUDIO. We are a boutique Reformer Pilates studio located on Well Lane in the heart of Chapel Allerton.

 We are a brand-new business, only getting the keys to our space on 1st January and have since done a full refurb. We wanted to create a welcoming and inclusive studio, where every BODY - no matter age, fitness level or background - can experience the benefits of mindful movement, functional strength and improved mobility.

 How did you get into doing what you’re doing?

 We have known each other for 19 years and have always loved exercising together so when we discovered Reformer it felt like a business opportunity that we couldn’t miss out on. We both left our corporate careers at the end of 2024 to pursue our business venture and are so excited to see what we can achieve together doing what we love.

 What does a ‘normal’ day look like?

 At the minute, we are still finding our feet in the business word having only just opened with our timetable starting on the 3rd of February.

A normal day in January involved lots of DIY, deliveries, workmen, cleaning and decisions to be made! Now our studio renovation is finished, our timetable starts on the 3rd of February, so we expect our days to be full of Reformer Pilates and Marketing.

 Biggest achievement to date (personally and / or business wise)?

 Opening BLOC STUDIO and playing a huge part in the renovations is definitely our biggest achievement. Having a vision of what we wanted our space to look like and getting out hands dirty to create it is has been a really special time for us and something we are immensely proud of.

 Favourite service your deliver

 Obviously, our Reformer classes!

We have a variety of classes to suit everybody’s needs and abilities ranging from beginner to intermediate as well as specialist pre and post-natal classes. All our class information can be found on our website

Best & worst thing about running your own business?

Since leaving the corporate world, being our own boss and investing in something that we LOVE has been the best thing about running our business so far. We have big plans over the next few months that we can’t wait to share with everyone.

 Plans for 2025 / the future?

 We want to create an inclusive community where wellness it at the heart of everything we do. Filling our timetable and running events is a key focus for us this year so we hope to partner with lots of like-minded people to bring people together outside of our usual timetable.

 Something funny / unusual / different about yourself that perhaps different about yourself that perhaps your customers don’t know!

 Katie and I actually met in Sommerfield in Oakwood (back in the day when Home Bargains used to be Sommerfield) where we both worked on the checkouts! We instantly got along and have been friends ever since.

Where can we find you:

31 Well Lane LS7 4PQ

All classes can we book via the website or app and run Monday – Saturday between 6am – 8-15pm

www.blocstudio.co.uk

IG - @blocstudioreformerpilates

FB - BLOC Studio Reformer Pilates