Ex-Shrewsbury Town star Ben Smith running bar and spa in former chapel
Former Shrewsbury Town player Ben Smith has swapped the pitch for pedicures after opening up a health spa with his wife, Stephanie.
The couple have opened St Nicholas Cafe, Bar and Spa in Castle Street in Shrewsbury. They already own Tootsies Beauty Retreat in Dogpole, which they got up and running four years ago when they moved to Shrewsbury from Newcastle after Ben was signed.
He was goalkeeper for Shrewsbury for two years and currently plays for Southport. The couple said Tootsies had been a hit and they wanted to expand.
Stephanie, who is mum to Alfie, three, and Maisie, 11 months, said: "We started work in November and opened our Cafe-Bar just before Christmas. We are both very involved in the business and it hasn't been too stressful to set up. I think it was about making the most of an opportunity and taking the business forward.
"When we open up for the evening my mum looks after the children so it's worked out really well for us. It's been really enjoyable and we're excited about getting going. I think we're going to attract a really nice crowd and we have a lot of offer. It's been brilliant living in Shrewsbury and our customers could not have been better to us."
She said the cafe had food for all tastes during the day and will transform into a cocktail bar and live music venue in the evenings.
The spa will officially open on March 17 and offer a range of treatments from around the world.
