Blackpool yoga studio set for rebrand and expansion following NPIF II support

Yoga Blackpool has received a significant investment from NPIF II – River Capital & GC Business Finance Smaller Loans, which is managed by River Capital & GC Business Finance as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II, to support its transformation into a premium boutique yoga studio.

The funding will enable studio owner Angela Ross to rebrand the business as Yoga Rise Blackpool and relaunch her business in January 2026, positioning it as the leading destination for yoga and wellness on the Fylde Coast.

The investment will support infrastructure improvements, including infrared heating equipment, a new website with integrated booking functionality, external signage, marketing campaigns, equipment upgrades, and new offerings such as aerial yoga.

Trading since 2016, the family-run business has built a strong reputation within the local yoga community. Located in a distinctive period building on Red Bank Road in Bispham, the studio occupies a prominent seafront position with a spacious main studio, office space, and a rooftop yoga terrace offering sea views.

The relaunch includes a transition to a more sustainable business model. Previously operating as a rental model where self-employed teachers paid to use the space, Yoga Rise Blackpool will now manage all bookings centrally, collecting fees directly from clients and paying teachers per class. This structure supports both students and teachers, enabling students to cultivate a consistent yoga practice while offering teachers greater stability and predictability in a competitive market. It also provides instructors with expanded opportunities, excellent remuneration, and strengthened marketing support.

Angela Ross, Founder of Yoga Rise Blackpool, commented: “Yoga Rise is a family-run studio that has grown alongside me and my family over the past nine years.

“This investment has made a huge difference, allowing me to finally act on ideas I have long wanted to bring to the studio but previously lacked the resources for. It has also given me the confidence to grow the business; working alongside River Capital, sharing my ideas and financial projections, and being truly believed in has been an incredible boost.

“We remain committed to making high-quality yoga accessible to everyone on the Fylde Coast, offering a wide variety of science-backed, modern classes alongside traditional yoga practices.”

Jonathan Nelson, Investment Manager at River Capital said: “Angela has demonstrated a clear vision for growing her business whilst maintaining its community-focused ethos. The financial projections are conservative and realistic, and the business model transition is well planned and supported by her teaching team.

Sue Barnard, Senior Investment Manager at the British Business Bank, said: “It’s been fantastic to support Yoga Rise as they look to rebrand and grow. Helping businesses in coastal areas like Blackpool access the funding they need is essential to unlocking local potential. Yoga Rise is a great example of the family-run, community-focused businesses that NPIF II seeks to support.”

Yoga Rise Blackpool will offer a comprehensive range of classes including Hatha, Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Yin, Restorative, Aerial, Heated, Meditation, and Mindfulness.  Flexible pricing options will include drop-in classes, multi-class passes, and unlimited memberships, along with 20% discount for students, seniors (65+), job seekers, and people with disabilities. Pre-sale memberships will launch in November 2025, with the full relaunch scheduled for January 2026.

The £660m Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIFII) covers the entire North of England and provides loans from £25k to £2m and equity investment up to £5m to help a range of small and medium sized businesses to start up, scale up or stay ahead.

The purpose of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II is to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the North of England. The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II will increase the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for the North’s smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and help to break down barriers in access to finance.