Clancy’s Fish Bar will soon have a steamy new neighbour after permission was granted for a WA sauna company to open underneath the popular restaurant at City Beach.
Town of Cambridge councillors on Tuesday supported a lease change that would allow the new business to operate, claiming it “would add some vitality to our beaches”.
“I’m very supportive for this sauna coming here,” Cr Kate Barlow said.
“I think it will add some vitality to our beaches … it’s a great benefit to mental health and health.”
Despite several businesses trying to make money from the space in the past but proving unsuccessful, Cr Ben Mayes claimed he “couldn’t think of a more suitable business to utilise”.
“As we know the basement area at Clancy’s is very underutilised and previous attempts to reinvigorate this area have not been successful to this date,” Cr Mayes said.
“Given the rise of popularity of sauna and ice bath treatments, there’s no doubt this could take off.
“I look forward to seeing them bring this basement area of Clancy’s to life.”
Over recent years, Perth’s coastal areas has seen a rising demand for saunas due to a popular therapeutic trend called “contrast therapy”, in which beachgoers shock the body with a cool splash in the ocean after a steamy session in the sauna.
This form of hydrotherapy, which involves alternating between hot and cold immersion, is thought to have a direct and positive impact on cardiovascular function and is often used by athletes to treat muscle injuries and speed up post-workout recovery.
Alchemy Saunas is already steaming things up at five locations across WA, with two along the waterfront at Port Beach in North Fremantle and Point Walter Reserve in Melville. It also had a now-closed venue fronting Busselton Beach.