A Bolton salon is celebrating 30 years in the beauty business.

The Beauty Lounge first opened in 1993.

Owner, Angela Close, has kept her business afloat as it rode the waves of two recessions and a pandemic.

The salon, which offers a range of beauty treatments, is now based in Bark Street East, in an historic Georgian building, dating back more than 200 years.

The Bolton News: Angela started the business 30 years agoAngela started the business 30 years ago (Image: Public)

The next generation of Angela's family is now getting involved in the business, with her daughter, Annabelle Close, now working there.

Angela said: "It wasn’t always easy, but it has definitely been worth it. I had always wanted my own salon, and when I left school I worked as a dental nurse for four years and spent time working in the evenings in a restaurant."

After training at Bolton College's Manchester Road campus, she worked at The Last Drop Spa before starting The Beauty Lounge from a 'little room' at Hair Studio 336 on Bridge Street.

The Bolton News: Angela and AnnabelleAngela and Annabelle (Image: Public)

As well as facials, skincare, nail treatments and massages, the salon uses prestigious Guinot products and Angela herself specialises in colonic treatments.

She added: "As soon as I saw the building, I knew it was the right place. But, it required six months of very hard work and £70,000 to get it just right.

"I would sit on the cold floor and visualise every room and how I wanted it to be, with little baby Annabelle sat to the side of me in her car seat, laughing and giggling.

The Bolton News: The exterior of the salonThe exterior of the salon (Image: Public)

"I wanted to keep as many original features as possible, including original doors, the ornate carvings on the staircase and in the high rooms and even scouring eBay for period items like carpet retainers to return the period feel of the building." 

Having completed her beauty therapy level three NVQ, Annabelle now works full time at the Pampering Palace with her mother, making for "a great team". 

Angela added: "I am still keen to carry on working but want to create a legacy and a viable successful business to hand down to Annabelle."