Ex-footballer achieves goal of buying premises for physiotherapy business

A former professional footballer turned physiotherapist has successfully relocated to new commercial premises, with support from Barclays.

Established in 2014, Chris Malkin Physiotherapy specialises in sports injuries, sports rehabilitation, return to sport and the prevention of injuries.

The new, larger premises in Pensby, Wirral, will support Chris and wife Sharon’s long-term vision to grow the business and establish a one-stop-shop for health offering rooms to rent for local small businesses that require a room to trade from.

Chris has a local, sporting background having been educated at St Anselm’s College, Birkenhead and playing football for Tranmere Rovers FC at Prenton Park.

Having attained a first class honours degree at Salford University in 2002, he completed his rotations working in the neurology rehab department at Ellesmere Port Cottage Hospital.

Chris returned to football as head academy physiotherapist at Nottingham Forest FC, followed by five years working with the rising young stars at Aston Villa FC.

In 2009, he returned to the Wirral to take up a post as physiotherapy clinical lead at Spire, Murrayfield Hospital.

Since then Chris has combined his clinical role with managerial roles in the radiology and physiotherapy departments and completed a Masters Degree in Sport and Exercise Physiotherapy at Cardiff University.

Chris said: “We are passionate about making sure patients receive the best possible treatment and we’ve been looking to fulfil our ambition for some time now.

“We were so excited when these premises became available and delighted that Barclays has seen the potential in our business plan to provide the funding required.

“Our hope is the additional space will attract other local health businesses and we can all trade under one roof offering a one-stop-shop for patients.”

Ana Rowlands, Barclays relationship manager, said: “I am delighted that I have been able to help Chris and Sharon reach their long-term ambition to purchase their own commercial premises.

“With their own asset and additional space, they are now in a position to grow and diversify their business going forward in line with their business plan and I can’t wait to support them in the future and see their business grow.”