Northampton company announced as new partner for Delapré Abbey’s 19th century stable block project

Thanks to support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust is on track to transform a run-down former block of stables in its grounds into a wellbeing hub - due to be completed and open to the public for the spring of 2025.

Move4 Physio, a successful Northampton based physiotherapy and rehabilitation business, is putting Delapré Abbey is at the heart of its ambitious expansion plans.

Lee Daggett, physiotherapist and managing director of Move4 Physio, said: “This marks a big step forward for our business.

"To be part of the Stables, alongside like-minded organisations, is exciting.

"The Abbey is already a magnet for people wanting to exercise so to be able to help people continue on their exercise journey is a perfect fit.

"As long as you have your mental and physical health other things don’t matter.

“We first launched in 2016 and had our biggest period of growth during the pandemic.

"When Covid struck we closed for three months but as soon as we re-opened we quickly doubled our patient numbers and ended up building an extra treatment room to meet demand.

"We now see around 300 people every month, but there are so many more people who would like our support, so we look forward to becoming an integral part of this new wellbeing hub.”

Richard Clinton, CEO of Delapré Abbey, added: “The old Stables, in the heart of our grounds, has been unloved for many years so this redevelopment is all about restoring a sense of pride.

"The hub will be here for the community, it will create jobs and opportunities and it will secure an income for that will ensure Delapré Abbey is here for generations to come.

"A huge welcome to Move4 Physio.”

Move4 Physio has ambitious plans for its new Delapré Abbey centre, including specialist pelvic health physiotherapy clinics aimed at helping pre-and post-natal women with a variety of common and treatable issues that commonly result following pregnancy and childbirth.

These services will also assist with the myriad of issues caused by the menopause and provide much needed education and treatment for women in need of their help.

Lee added: “We are all about empowering people and giving them the tools to manage their own issues and take back control of their lives.

"Yes, we treat people but rehabilitation and strength is key.

"Pelvic health physiotherapy support will be just one of our specialist services, helping women recover from the impact of pregnancy and childbirth, alongside many other issues.”

Move4Physio have reserved a 500 sq ft unit in the Abbey’s former Stables block, and already has plans for a treatment area, and a gym space which will provide the ability to take patients from the very beginning of their rehab journey, all the way to their defined goal.

£477,000 of development funding was awarded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in 2022 to help Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust progress their plans, and to further engage members of the community and partners.

This project aims to carry out essential restoration work on a number of buildings that are at risk, all of which sit within the grounds of the historic 12th century Abbey.

Once complete, the project aims to improve the mental and physical health of local residents through green social prescribing, building on programmes to date such as Delapré Wellbeing and complementing the existing visitor attraction.

The project will also aim to create 42 jobs and support a thriving visitor economy.

The development of the site will allow investment through a social return in creative, physical and mindful wellbeing programmes, working with numerous partners and cementing Delapré Abbey as a key community asset in improving wellbeing.

Early work to develop the feasibility plans and options appraisals for the project has been funded by Architectural Heritage Fund through their Project Development Grant Cultural Recovery Programme.