A new salon has just opened its doors to the public offering a range of treatments from holistic to hair treatments. The Beauty Garden officially opened on Sunday, January 8 on Central Walk in Hucknall.
The Beauty Garden plans to not just offer treatments for clients but a training centre which will educate any potential beauticians on how to get started in the trade or those looking to upgrade their skills. There are already six beauticians employed with a potential for more stylists to join in the future.
Amelia Cook, 31 from Hucknall, is excited to get the salon open. This is her first move into a salon after working from home for the past two years. She has been in the trade ever since she left school.
Read more: Nottinghamshire brewery to take over pub 'with a lovely feel to it'
"I have been self-employed for quite a few years now and working from home for the past two years. I decided that I am ready to expand and wanted to have a nice team around me," she said.
"I went to college straight from school when I was sixteen to get level two qualified then did my level three. While I was doing my level two, I went to work for my college tutor so I gained a lot of experience there. From the age of eighteen, I've always been in this industry."
The shop has been given a stylish makeover ready for opening week along with the party held on Sunday, January 8. The salon took a lot of work to makeover but thanks to friends and family, it was ready to go quite quickly. There are stylish touches such as green walls, and pampas grasses in vases. The salon has a lovely fresh and inviting feeling.
"It's taken a lot of work but I managed to get a grant which helped me out so much with the cost. That was amazing as it meant I was able to get everything I actually wanted in there but it did cost a lot," she explained.
"Luckily I have friends and family in the trade who have helped out. My friends have been in here every single day helping to paint all through the holidays."
When it comes to new trends in the beauty industry, Amelia says there are a lot of new treatments on offer including brow lamination which is becoming increasingly popular. Brow lamination is a safe beauty treatment that gives the impression of thicker, fuller brows.
"Everyone is looking for the new things that are coming out and a lot of it seems to be brow lamination and things like that. People are looking to go somewhere where they at least feel comfortable and relaxed. That it feels like a nice atmosphere from the moment they walk through the door," Amelia said.
"I always think if they feel like that then they will want to come back."
Although the launch day has been and gone, Amelia did feel a little nervous in the run-up to the big event. She is confident that her loyal clientele will help her to make the transition to the new salon.
"I do feel a bit nervous but I know I have a really good clientele who have been with me for years so I have that support. I also have a great group of girls coming to work alongside me. They are self-employed so we are looking forward to it but nervous too," she said.
When it comes to the future, Amelia wouldn't rule out opening more locations. For now, she is focused on getting the Hucknall salon off the ground.
"I would love to open more shops or training academies in the future but let's see how we go for a few years. I'm just hoping for a good team who love their jobs and to be the best salon in Hucknall."
