A BEAUTY therapist who started her business as a teenager is “over the moon” to be included in the final 10 for a Telegraph & Argus competition.

We asked readers to share which beauty salon in the district they thought should take the top spot in the T&A’s 'Best Beauty Salon 2024' competition.

Readers nominated their favourite via our online voting platform and we have been profiling all 10 finalists.

Bloom Nails and Beauty, in Park Lane, Clayton is run single-handedly by Abby Kendall.

She said: “I am absolutely over the moon to be in the top 10, I couldn’t believe it when I found out, I never expected it but I’m so grateful to even be in the top 10.”

Abby at workAbby at work (Image: Newsquest)

The business was set up in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic when Abby was just 18.

She said: “I started up my business in July 2020 at 18 years old during the Covid pandemic after the lockdowns.

“I’ve built up my business over the past four years and I am now fully booked with lots of loyal customers who have been coming since the start, which means the world.”

Bloom Nails and Beauty has a unique setup, housed in a building that features Brooks Hair and Beauty upstairs, according to Abby.

She shares a room alongside another T&A ‘Best Beauty Salon 2024’ finalist, Ellie Mortimer, who runs Ellie Mortimer Makeup and Beauty.

Abby says the girls upstairs have been invaluable in her developing her business.

Abby said she was 'over the moon' to have reached the final 10Abby said she was 'over the moon' to have reached the final 10 (Image: Newsquest)

She said: “I work by myself with another beauty therapist Ellie, who owns Ellie Mortimer Makeup and Beauty, who shares the room with me.

“It’s a lovely salon to work in - it’s below a hairdressers, Brooks Hair and Beauty.

“It’s a clean, cosy, and nice and relaxing salon and the girls are all lovely upstairs and have helped me along the way with building clients up.

“A lot of my clients live in the area so find it very easy to get to me.”

Abby offers a variety of services, including massages, facials, waxing, eyebrows, and eyelashes.

But she says her most popular offering is Builder Gel/Gel Nails.

This isn’t just about making people look beautiful though – Abby lends a listening ear for any clients who might need it too.

She said: “I would say I’m a very calm and friendly beauty therapist who is always here to listen and support my clients when they need me as well as doing their beauty treatments and I love to hear about all the happy news they come in to tell me.”

To vote for your favourite beauty salon, pick up a copy of the Telegraph & Argus and fill out the coupon. 

Today (October 12) is the final day the coupon will appear.