Former Shuropody staff who were left jobless by its sudden closure have banded together to launch a new business in Watford.

Patients arrived at the business’ atria Watford branch on July 5 to find a note on the door as the first indication it had shut down that day.

The podiatrists working there had no more notice, with one telling the Watford Observer at the time that someone simply walked into the branch at 9.05am and told them “pack everything up you are closed”.

Nirasha FernandoNirasha Fernando (Image: Nirasha Fernando)

Four months on and former staff got in touch with the news that a new business has risen from the ashes. Heel Harmony will be opening a few doors down from the Queens Road location on October 21.

Nirasha Fernando explained that the team, which she worked with for five years, were “like a family” and were rocked by the sudden blow. The 38-year-old was the only one with another source of income to fall back in and they all had to carry their personal items out into the street themselves.

"Stranded" customers were also hit, as there are no similar locations to visit within a five-mile radius. Despite the tough situation, Nirasha and former store manager Leila Ruocco realised it also meant they had an opportunity to help their customers and keep the team in work — so they took out loans and started setting up their own clinic.

Leila Ruocco.Leila Ruocco. (Image: Leila Ruocco) “We’ve done training, we’ve got degrees and just to get thrown out, it’s horrible,” Nirasha said.

“Opening it up again is what kept us going, I think.

“It all started from scratch, but now we have seen the light at the end of the tunnel.”

Immediately after the closure, Dov Bloom from neighbouring Finecraft Jewellery came out to offer his commiserations to the staff. The chance conversation eventually led to a partnership and Heel Harmony will be based out of part of the Finecraft unit once it opens.

One building work is complete, there will be two clinics upstairs and one downstairs. The three podiatrists and two receptionists will all be coming over directly from the former Shurpody team.

Nirasha and Leila will own the business themselves, together with Dov from Finecraft.

Strong relationships with former clients have meant Heel Harmony already has bookings lined up. Customers have come up to the team in town, seen flyers, and sought out how to get in contact because they could not find anywhere else to go.

(Image: Finecraft Jewellery)