Atera Bathhouse and Spa opens in Glasgow with two spa leadership appointments

Atera Bathhouse and Spa has opened in the heart of Glasgow, Scotland. The multi-million pound project that took 14 months to complete has created 34 jobs including positions for 14 expert therapists.

The spa is situated beneath Radisson Blu Hotel Glasgow on Oswald Street, just moments from the central train station.

Accommodating up to 84 guests at one time, the operation expects to welcome around 200 guests per day on average.

The project has been spearheaded by Kirsty MacCormick, senior vice-president of global operations at bbspa Group and head of its UK office.

Darren Ash has been appointed as operations and fitness manager and Melanie Gibson has been named as treatment and training manager.

Excellence in wellness design

The new urban bathhouse and spa has launched with world‑class thermal and treatment facilities, including one of the UK’s largest hydrotherapy pools, a traditional hammam, a rhassoul, thermal bathing and guided aufguss sauna ceremonies.

“On the fitness side, we’re introducing PNOĒ metabolic and fitness testing, which we believe will be a first for Scotland. This gives guests a better understanding of their metabolism and fitness, including VO₂ max, allowing us to make their training more personal and give them something meaningful to work towards,” said MacCormick.

Elemis, Comfort Zone and Knesko are the brand partners selected for the treatment menu.

Barr + Wray designed and installed the thermal facilities and pool. BC Softwear supplied the spa linen and towels. Treatment beds were supplied by LEC. The project also features a Technogym equipped gym, and diagnostics are provided by TG, Vald and PNOĒ.

Form follows function

The facilities have been designed to integrate directly with Atera’s therapist‑led methodology, enabling therapists to deliver deeper, more effective practitioner‑focused results.

Many of Atera’s therapists have more than a decade of professional experience across a multitude of massage modalities, holistic therapies and physiotherapy, including specialists in spinal health.

Atera’s philosophy centres on autonomy and professional trust. Therapists are encouraged to tailor each treatment to the individual’s needs, goals and preferred outcomes.

Supporting staff

This approach is supported by Atera’s remuneration strategy, which pays highly skilled therapists above living wage and prioritises long‑term career progression.

“All staff at Atera are paid above the living wage, with therapists on £18 per hour,” said MacCormick.  “We’re also about to introduce an optional 10 per cent service charge, with 70 per cent going to the therapist delivering the treatment and 30 per cent shared across the support team. That includes the people behind the scenes.”

The guest journey has been designed to maximise treatment efficacy. Thermal experiences, immersion and hands‑on therapy are intentionally sequenced, allowing guests to move through heat, water and ritual before entering a treatment room.

Spa leadership team

Getting the right people in place has been a huge part of the preparation. Melanie Gibson joins from Blythswood as treatment and training manager and Darren Ash joins from Stobo Castle as operations and fitness manager. They bring valuable experience and will be a big support to the wider team.

Finlay Anderson, director of operations at bbspa UK, will oversee the entire Atera operation, supported by the wider bbspa UK team. He will work closely with Gibson and Ash to support the team, maintain standards and ensure everything comes together smoothly for our guests and members.

Melanie Gibson, treatment and training manager

Gibson joins Atera from Blythswood, where she was head of spa. She will lead treatment delivery, the wellness concierge service and team development, working with Atera’s treatment partners to ensure expert, personalised care and consistently high standards.

Darren Ash, operations and fitness manager

Ash joins Atera from Stobo Castle, where he was spa manager. He will oversee daily operations and the fitness offering, including the gym and studio programme, ensuring a seamless experience for guests and members.

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