Leamington hairdresser Charlotte finally opens salon at her own premises on day others re-open after lockdown

Charlotte Williams first started learning the trade at Just Ian in Whitnash at the young age of 13.

Then in 2011, having just turned 20, she set up The Vanity Box which was a salon within a garage conversion at her mother's house in Warwick Gates.

It grew to be a huge success and also enabled her to build a great platform for fundraising.

Alongside running a busy client list she organised events over the last nine years which, with the support of clients, have raised more than £25,000 for different charities.

On Saturday she opened the business in a new premises at 17 Guys Cliffe Road in Leamington.

Charlotte said: "I’ve always known the next step would be a salon but knew it had to be the right place.

"After having to close my business on March 21 due to the pandemic I did not ever think this would be the right time for a big leap, however the opportunity came up and I felt like I couldn’t let it pass me by.

"I live 30 seconds from the new premises and it’s next door to my local pub I’d decided it’ll be a positive to come out of the madness of COVID-19.

"After government guidelines allowed me to open on Saturday July 4, and a mad rush to get the salon ready in time, I had the lovely Leamington mayoress Cllr Susan Rasmussen kindly come to officially cut the ribbon and open The Vanity Box.

"It was a lovely morning and clients, friends and family turned up to show support whilst socially distancing on the street.

"I plan to have a big party next year to mark the salon's tenth anniversary and celebrate the new premises."