Sports therapist to top refs expands his Rugby operation

Barry Phillipson, whose most high-profile work is treating match officials for the Premier League, Football Association, Football League, UEFA and FIFA, is taking on two additional units at The Craft Studios at Hillmorton Locks where he runs Smart Studios.

His three existing units house six treatment rooms for therapists offering a range of therapies including physio and sports massage, injury rehabilitation, reflexenergy, relaxation massage and beauty treatments.

The extra units on the ground floor will provide another treatment room to offer sports therapy for less mobile and disabled clients, and launches the Smart Progress Room with a range of exercise and rehabilitation equipment to enhance the services and treatments he offers.

Barry said: “I established Smart Studios at Hillmorton Locks in 2009 and it has grown in that time with my approach being to develop and mentor younger therapists and encourage new therapists by giving them the opportunity to develop their own skills and businesses here from my 18 years of experience.

“My dream has been to develop a holistic, progressive clinic with each therapist confident to express their unique characters and treatment packages.

“This expansion will enable me to take Smart Studios to the next level.”

The Craft Studios, located off Brindley Road and next to the Oxford Canal, was acquired by Coventry-based commercial property company The Wigley Group in early 2016 with the aim of offering an improved service to tenants to allow the estate to thrive.

The Wigley Group estates manager Louis Smith said: “A year on from acquiring Hillmorton Locks, we are delighted to see the estate enjoying growth and to have been able to help make this expansion happen for Smart Studios.”