The owner of a therapy centre in South Norfolk spoke of her sadness yesterday after it was announced that the business was closing.

The Wood Farm Complementary Therapy and Healing Centre was established at a converted 17th century barn at Starston, near Harleston, in 2001.

But Anna Saul, who formed the business, said it was time to call it a day as a result of the economic downturn and rising costs.

The centre, in Wood Lane, will shut on March 31. However, a limited range of treatments will still be on offer within the house at Wood Farm.

At its peak the site had 26 self-employed therapists operating from the building, offering treatments such as massage, homeopathy, osteopathy, hypnotherapy, crystal healing, reflexology, and yoga and pilates classes.

However, Mrs Saul said the number of therapists working from the centre had dropped to 16 as a result in a downturn in trade and it was not possible to keep it going.

She said: 'The recession has hit us so hard. Things started to pick up at the end of 2010 and things started to improve, but then there was the rise in VAT and rise in fuel costs and from there is has gone down hill. It is a very remote area and there are four or five beauty parlours in Harleston and people are going there rather than driving to us.'

Mrs Saul added that she did not know what would become of the centre, but she was looking into the possibility of submitting a change of use application to South Norfolk Council. She will also have to let go two part-time receptionists, a maintenance man and a cleaner.

'It is a place of peace and tranquillity and I need to keep that going. It was horrendous when I made the decision to close and I was an emotional wreck for two weeks, but what is meant to be is meant to be,' she said.

She added that three therapists would continue to operate from the main house at Wood Farm providing reflexology, Indian head massage, osteopathy and homeopathy treatments on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

For more information, visit www.woodfarmcentre.co.uk or call 01379 854295.