The COVID-19 lockdown led to an Eastrea man to learn a new skill that he is now planning to turn into a business. 

Garry Crackle studied massage therapy  and after gaining a certificate from the Guild of Holistic Therapists is now offering the service locally. 

As managing director of a company specialising in auto enrolment and pensions, Garry was looking for a new interest and so formed M². 

He said: “My full-time work is in financial services but during the lockdown I decided that I wanted to do something completely different and so studied massage therapy. Having regularly used the gym, I know how many people suffer aches and pains and need parts of their body to be put back in to shape. 

“A lot of people also spent the lockdown working from home where they probably suffered back ache and strains by working at a desk that wasn’t set up as well for them as in their workplace and consequently were not sitting correctly leading to some discomfort. 

“Many people are in need of relaxation , de-stressing and muscle tension relief  which will help them if they feel tort and tired. I am not offering a specialist remedial massage for sports injuries, although that may be something for the future, but a way to help people relax and feel physically more comfortable.” 

Father-of-two Garry is offering the service to males from a professonal home studio.