A new venture in Nottingham has brought together two growing movements in wellness, proving to be an instant hit.
Her Days + Flo, situated on Derby Road, unites concepts that originated separately in Kirkby-in-Ashfield and Belper.
Patrons can enjoy a reformer Pilates session in the lower level before heading upstairs to Her Days for refreshments such as coffee, matcha, topped sourdough, and acai bowls. The two offerings operate independently, so visitors can choose one without the other.
Close friends Ashleigh Gascoyne and Chelcie Mayhew joined forces for this combined project, converting what was once Parc Flooring, a carpet retail space, into an inviting setting with Balinese influences, handling much of the refurbishment personally.
Ashleigh explained that the two concepts merge exceptionally well and naturally enhance each other, providing an environment particularly designed for women to feel secure and enjoy pleasant surroundings, though the venue welcomes everyone. She noted that despite the pink and green branding and the Her Days name, all are invited, with groups of male customers in Kirkby regularly ordering acai bowls and matcha.
Ashleigh previously worked as cabin crew for Emirates, based in Dubai, and travelled extensively throughout Asia, Australia and beyond before settling in Nottinghamshire. She discovered a love for acai bowls during her time in the Gulf but found none available after returning home following the pandemic. She had long harboured ambitions to launch her own hospitality business.
After experiencing personal challenges as a single parent, she opened Her Days in Kingsway, Ashfield, twelve months ago. The Nottingham venue on Derby Road has now opened, decorated in pink and green with rattan seating, bamboo decorations and the inspirational phrase Keep Growing, Keep Glowing adorning the walls. The brand also extends to clothing items including T-shirts and caps.
The acai bowls feature the healthy frozen blended berries with additions like peanut butter, blueberries, chia seeds, bee pollen and Nutella. Each bowl carries a distinctive title that holds personal significance for Ashleigh, reflecting concepts that have guided her journey. The Let Them bowl draws from a mindset technique promoted by author Mel Robbins about disregarding others’ judgments, while The Climb references her beloved Miley Cyrus track about perseverance through hardship.
Loaded sourdough, crafted using bread supplied by nearby neighbour Tough Mary’s Bakehouse, comes with toppings such as caprese, hot honey avocado, or peanut butter and banana.
The beverage selection encompasses iced matcha in flavours including pistachio and mango, alongside tea, coffee and cold drinks.
The signature smoothie range includes Glow, combining collagen, vitamin C, pineapple, mango and coconut milk, and Calm, featuring ashwagandha, strawberries, banana, dates and almond milk.
As a mother to a young daughter, Ashleigh has included children’s fruit portions and miniature smoothies for younger guests.
Her original ambition had been to establish a presence in Nottingham’s central area. Upon inspecting the premises and discovering the ground floor space, she immediately envisioned Pilates instructor Chelcie. Chelcie was searching for fresh premises, and the setup proved ideal given the current popularity of Pilates and matcha. Following contact, Chelcie was moved to tears at the proposal. Development progressed rapidly over just a few months. Ashleigh aimed to establish a sanctuary where women especially could feel secure, comfortable and access nutritious alternatives. She found that during outings with her daughter, suitable café options were scarce, with most offering identical menus.
The interior accommodates 26 diners, with plans awaiting approval for nine additional outdoor seats.
University student Hannah Driver, aged 18, remarked that similar establishments are plentiful in Manchester where she studies, but options in Nottingham remain limited. Her companion Gracie Pearson, 19, described the concept as charming and well-suited to current trends.
Pilates sessions run throughout the day from early morning until night, with introductory sessions priced at five pounds available for newcomers alongside various starter packages.
Chelcie expressed that the objective is to cultivate an approachable, warm environment where all feel at ease, particularly those anxious about attempting reformer Pilates for the first time. She acknowledged that joining a new fitness class can seem daunting, so considerable effort has gone into ensuring the studio remains enjoyable, supportive and inclusive, with instructors who put participants at their ease. Reformer Pilates effectively enhances strength, posture, flexibility, balance and core stability while remaining gentle on the body and appropriate for varying fitness abilities. Classes can accommodate those seeking improved fitness, injury recovery or simply movement that feels beneficial. One particularly exciting aspect is the location beneath Her Days, enabling members to enjoy nutritious meals, beverages or snacks before or after their session, creating more than simply a workout opportunity but a space for holistic wellbeing and social enjoyment.
Flo takes its name from Chelcie’s middle name, Florence.