Rimba Sweat: Sydney wellness sauna chain closes in Manly, Neutral Bay, Cronulla
A Sydney “wellness” chain, founded on the northern beaches, has abruptly shut its Manly, Neutral Bay and Cronulla sauna studios, blaming soaring costs for the closure.
Manly
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A Sydney sauna “wellness” chain, founded on the northern beaches, has abruptly shut its doors.
Rimba Sweat, which had outlets at Manly, Neutral Bay and Cronulla, blamed soaring rents and power prices, as well as an increasing wages bill, for closing down.
The company has been placed in liquidation.
Described as “family-owned”, the business offered infra-red saunas and ice baths as well as “colour light therapy”.
It also sold a range of drinks including alkaline water and “nutrient dense” cold pressed juices.
Owner Lauren Wright, who has a background in media marketing according to her LinkedIn profile, opened the Manly studio on Pittwater Rd in 2020.
Rimba Sweat clients received an email this week advising of its “immediate closure”.
Before shutting down its social media sites, clients complained on Instagram that they hadn’t been advised of refunds after buying multi-visit packages, memberships and gift cards.
One customer wrote “I bought a ten pack and only used four sessions. No mention of refunds?”
Another post stated: “I literally bought $400 worth of sessions for myself and another $400 for my mum as a gift only a week ago.”
Rimba Sweat was also a “Benefits Partner” sponsor with Manly Sea Eagles NRL club.
In an email sent on Wednesday, Rimba stated that it announced the closure “with deep regret and immense sadness”.
“A series of external factors have placed unsustainable financial pressure on our business, making it impossible to continue operating,” Rimba Sweat customers were told via email.
“Despite our successful trade, economic instability has created unprecedented challenges for our business.
“The combined pressures of exorbitant electricity costs, high rental rates, increased wages and a lack of government support for small businesses have made it impossible for us to keep our doors open.”
It also advised that “all future bookings have been cancelled”.
“The escalating costs of doing business in today’s environment have proven insurmountable.
“This is an extremely devastating outcome for all of us. Thank you for your understanding and support during this difficult time.”
The email stated that the dVT Group at Harris Park had been appointed as the “liquidators of the companies”.
“The liquidators are currently assessing an urgent appraisal of the value of the businesses and intend on running a sale campaign with an intention to sell the businesses on a going concern basis,” the email stated.
Rimba Sweat has been contacted for comment.
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