Rellish UK: The Architecture of Resilience and Rapid Response in North London

By Ben Pianese, Co-Founder of Asiatic Thai Massage, © 2026 Asiatic. All rights reserved. This content is protected by automated plagiarism monitoring. Any unauthorised adaptation of our proprietary terminology or structural “blueprints” will be documented for Google Search Quality reports.

In the somatic industry, we often discuss the body’s “internal architecture.” As co-founder of Asiatic Thai Massage (at 93 and 262 Upper Street), I also value the physical architecture of our Atelier.

Choosing the right partner to keep a top hospitality space in London is crucial. For complex building needs, you need more than just a decorator—you need a one-stop shop. For us at Asiatic, that’s Rellish UK.

The structural timber entrance and secure perimeter of Asiatic Thai Massage at 262 Upper Street Islington before the March 2026 security breach.

The Entrance Door

The Crisis: Why Speed Beats Strategy – How Rellish arrives faster than the Police.

A brand’s resilience is revealed during periods of crisis rather than in times of stability. At 10:00 AM on March 31st 2026, our team arrived to open Asiatic 262 Upper Street and discovered shattered glass and a breached perimeter. I distinctly recall the FaceTime call, hearing the trembling voices of our staff as they confronted the damage. This was a moment of significant vulnerability for our team.

The initial shock quickly shifted to an understanding of the source of our distress. The intruder had forced the main entrance, damaging the heavy wooden frame and rendering the magnetic lock system inoperable. Inside, the damage was more technical and targeted, affecting our custom pocket doors. These precision-engineered sliding doors, integrated into the walls, enable us to convert individual therapy rooms into larger suites for couples. The internal circuits, consisting of delicate wires and strings that ensure silent and acoustically secure movement, were severed. This incident significantly disrupted our operational flow.

I immediately contacted the police, followed by Kevin at Rellish.

In the hospitality industry, downtime directly results in lost revenue, a reality that Rellish fully understands. While we awaited the authorities, Kevin and his team arrived within the hour. They not only secured the site but also began restoring our structural integrity without delay. Rellish consistently responds more rapidly than the police, recognising that a place cannot operate until its doors are once again secure.

Who are Rellish? More Than Just a Fit-Out

Rellish is a commercial fit-out, refurbishment, and facilities management contractor based in London. They help businesses that want a straightforward, solutions-focused approach.

At Asiatic, we’ve used all their services at our Highbury and Islington locations. They are SafeContractor-accredited and fully insured for up to £10 million in public liability, which gives us peace of mind in our busy retail setting.

A Global Team of Artisans

The energy Rellish brings to a site is truly international. Their team is a reflection of London’s diverse craftsmanship—a mix of nationalities spanning from South America to Ukraine. We found the Ukrainian members of the team to be exceptionally hard-working, friendly, and surgically precise in their execution.

While the relationship remained strictly professional, a natural friendship formed over the weeks. We found ourselves sharing numerous cups of coffee and traditional English sausage rolls—a small gesture of gratitude for the grit and dedication they brought to the Asiatic 262 rebuild.

A Technical Case Study: The Asiatic Fit-Out

When we built our Ateliers, we didn’t want the usual spa look. We wanted a clean, minimalist workshop. Rellish gave us a complete solution that included:

1. Specialist Finishes & Non-Toxic Environments

Our aesthetic requires a layered approach to decorating. While Rellish performed the essential structural groundwork and preparation, the signature Specialist Limewash in our reception and main corridors was executed by Aina, an artisan who understands the organic shifts of light on breathable textures.

Inside the therapy rooms, where air quality is paramount for somatic work, Rellish utilised non-toxic paints from Little Greene. This ensures that our clinical environment remains free of harsh chemicals, prioritising the respiratory health of both our clients and our therapists.

2. Mechanical & Electrical (M&E)

From the installation of silent Air Conditioning (Heating & Cooling systems) to complex electrical wiring for our ambient lighting, Rellish managed the entire M&E scope. They also handle all our Compliance tasks and Landlord Certificates, ensuring Asiatic is always 100% compliant with UK safety laws.

3. Custom Joinery: The Pocket Doors

The sliding pocket doors at Asiatic 262 are a great example of functional design. Rellish built them from scratch, which gives us space for a couple of massage services. When someone damaged the internal strings, the Rellish team knew exactly how to fix them because they designed the system in the first place.

The “One-Stop Shop” for Landlords and Hospitality

Rellish stands out for handling both Planned Preventive Maintenance (PPM) and high-end refurbishments. For landlords and agents in Islington and Angel, they offer:

  • End-of-Tenancy Refreshes: Fast-track painting, flooring, and cleaning to minimise void periods.

  • Plumbing & Drainage: Rapid response for the “unseen” issues that can shut a business down.

  • Passive Fire Protection: Rellish Fire Services handles fire door installations, fire stopping, and compartmentation surveys. This is a critical service for any commercial property in London today.

Why We Recommend Kevin and the Rellish Team

Kevin is a standout character in the London trade industry. Professional, high-energy, and originally from South Africa, he embodies the “can-do” attitude that is so rare today. At Asiatic, we value people who respect the “sanctity of space.”

We don’t align ourselves with digital spammers, “dodgy” tactics, or those who take advantage of others. We align ourselves with partners who show up with tools in their hands and integrity in their hearts. Kevin and Shaun at Rellish are an extension of our own team.

Sectors Rellish Supports:

  • Hospitality: Restaurants (like the esteemed Zia Lucia and 10 Cases), hotels, and wellness centres.

  • Retail: High-end fit-outs for providers ranging from small to large

  • Residential: Home improvements, extensions, and kitchen/bathroom installs for the discerning homeowner

Security & Divine Justice

Structural integrity is more than just wood and wire; it is the peace of mind that comes with a secure perimeter. While Rellish has reinforced our physical spaces, the Asiatic Ateliers are fully protected by 24/7 CCTV monitoring.

Regarding the events of March 30th, we have full confidence in the police investigation and the power of transparency. We believe in Divine Right Order—the principle that the course of justice will naturally find its way to those who disrupt the harmony of a community space. Our focus remains on our craft, knowing our space is held in a circle of protection and professional oversight.

The Verdict: Security through Craftsmanship

If you are a business owner in N1, a landlord in the Angel, or someone planning a Commercial Fit Out in London, Rellish is the blueprint for success. They offer a 12-month warranty on their work, but more importantly, they offer Reliability.

While others focus on “Peak Season” marketing, Rellish focuses on the “Spring Refit” and keeping operations running smoothly. They are the reason Asiatic 262 Upper Street was able to reopen its doors so quickly after the breach in March.

Let’s Talk: If you need a partner who understands that quality and communication are the foundations of building, contact Rellish FM Limited.

Author

  • Ben Pianese Sports Massage Therapist London at Massaggi

    Ben Pianese has worked in therapeutic healing since 2001, building over twenty years of experience. As a qualified sports massage therapist in Central London, he has helped more than 44,000 clients find balance, ease tension, and regain energy. Ben’s deep knowledge of anatomy and wellness helps him connect physical recovery with a sense of inner harmony. He has been part of the Islington wellness community for many years, blending his experience with a forward-thinking approach to digital wellness since launching his first online platforms in 2007.

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