The doors to the first social sauna cafe in Kirkcaldy town centre open this weekend.

Unwynd:Kirkcaldy is moving into the Kirk Wynd premises most recently occupied by a cafe for the gaming community - and will welcome its first visitors on Saturday, August 1.

It is being launched by Lan Beaton, who also owns Peak Physique and Bodywork, next to the former cinema in the High Street.

The Kirk Wynd venture will see a sauna and cool water therapy treatments in its secret garden, while the front of the building will be given over to artisan coffee and food, as well as a tearoom.

Lan Beaton with her new social sauna cafe premises in the background in Kirk Wynd (Pic: Contributed)

placeholder image — Lan Beaton with her new social sauna cafe premises in the background in Kirk Wynd (Pic: Contributed)

She said: “I wanted to create a wellness suite, or group of suites, where people can try the sauna culture, plunge pools and enjoy some recovery all in the same place. This is a fantastic location and it has been well maintained.

“There are saunas attached to leisure centres, as well as some on the coast, and we have the people’s sauna which is a pop-up - but this is the first business of its kind in town.”

People can book a session in the sauna and use its therapy treatment in the garden, and take advantage of the changing facilities - or they can simply pop in for a coffee and find out more.It will also offer red light therapy (RLT), which uses low-level wavelengths of visible red and near-infrared light to stimulate cell function and promote repair, and compression therapy which applies controlled, graduated pressure to limbs.

“Wellness is a growing sector,” said Lan. “ More and more people have started to see its value since lockdown, so we hope we are creating something unique here which more people will be keen to experience. The sauna will be a place where you can come as an individual or as a group. It’s a place where

“You can strike up a conversation with other people who may have things in common, and maybe find a new community. We spend so much time online, so we need these facilities.

“We will also be looking at special events for over 50s, and also for LGBT+ groups. There will also be ’modesty’; evenings where we turn down the temperature in the sauna so people can wear a tshirt. Some people are not comfortable in just a swimsuit, or may have to be covered for religious reasons - this opens the sauna up to any groups and individuals.”

Unwynd:Kirkcaldy will also serve focaccia sandwiches, smoothies, ciabattas and soup, as well a cake.