A GLOBETROTTING beautician and actress picked Bolton to start her new business — because of the town’s friendly people.

Bekki Ferrario has launched Beauty Retreat above Hair Studio 336 in Bath Street after being attracted to the potential of the town centre location, but above all, the welcome she has received.

The much-travelled 33-year-old who has had small roles in Coronation Street and Hollyoaks was initially impressed by the response she got from the owners of the Hair Studio when she inquired about renting the space above.

She has lived in Manchester, Bury, Scarborough, Weymouth, Majorca and mainland Spain, after growing up in Derbyshire, but now lives in Walkden.

She said: “I looked at other places, like Walkden and Prestwich, but Bolton seemed like a decent area. It’s a good location in the town centre and there seems like plenty of potential.

“The girls at Hair Studio were particularly welcoming and helpful, although I had to compete in an Apprentice-style selection process to rent the space.”

The Beauty Retreat is offering waxing, tanning, makeovers — also for photographs — nail treatment, pedicures and massages.

But she is also hoping to offer teeth whitening and sporting bootcamp offers to clients in the near future.

She said: “Bootcamps are quite popular because they are not just about weight loss.

“It’s also about belonging to something and it’s a little bit more exciting than going to a gym.

“It’s very effective because the workout is very intensive.”

Ms Ferrario is running special offers on a range of treatments.

She is also planning to take her tanning and makeover skills on the road, offering to stage bespoke parties at local venues and fashion shows.

Alongside her business, helped by 20-year-old assistant Becci Roberts, Ms Ferrario is also continuing her television work, having appeared mostly as an extra in the soaps.

For information email beauty-retreat@live.com