Most folk would agree that Ulverston is a friendly, lively town, with lots going on all year round.

But did you know that it is now gaining the reputation as a centre of excellence for holistic therapies in the South Lakeland and Furness area?

Last month saw the opening of a new innovative holistic business that aims to raise the bar.

Willow, as it is known, is a new age ki element holistic therapy practice and gift shop.

For owners Joe and Julia Ramsbottom, this is a new venture, in a new town. The couple fell in love with Ulverston a few years ago when visiting the Lakes on one of their many walking weekends, and decided that as their children had grown up and gone their own way, that they would sell their Cheshire home and have a complete life change.

Joe, 54, who had worked in IT recruitment for more than 20 years, and Julia, 51, who had run her therapy practice from home, downsized considerably in order to buy the small cottage they now own, and finance their dream of running a business together - enjoying a better quality of life here in the beautiful Lakes.

The couple have been hard at work gathering together a cornucopia of interesting and esoteric items for their new store, all ethically sourced and reasonably priced, to aid well-being in mind, body and spirit.

In addition to the well-being gift shop, Julia offers clients an extensive range of holistic therapies from her newly-created and well-equipped therapy room within the store.

  • For further details call 01229-584036 or visit the website: www.the-ki-element.co.uk.

To find out what therapies Willow offers, see the Leisure section of this week's Westmorland Gazette.