WHEN you run a beauty business a lockdown is a huge blow, but the owner of a Stourbridge salon is hoping her ‘tough year’ will end on a high note – with a bit of help from TOWIE star Amy Childs.

Scratch Nail and Beauty Salon in Oldswinford is in line for a top national award, and the judge is the former The Only Way is Essex star.

“That’s why we entered this particular category,” said Chantal Chambers.

The salon, which she has owned for the last 8 year, is in the final of the Best Salon category, up against businesses from right across the country.

But they are no strangers to awards at Scratch, having won a national creative nail technician title in 2019 and a West Midlands best nail bar award last year.

Chantal, a former Red Hill School pupil who trained for two years at Kidderminster College, says she was one of those youngsters who always knew what they wanted to do in their careers, and joined Scratch 13 years ago.

Since taking it over she has doubled the number of staff from three to six and has a large client base, many travelling from as far away as Birmingham or Worcester for the ‘friendly and professional’ service.

Three lockdowns means it’s been financially tough. And when lockdowns lift some clients remain cautious, despite the full PPE, screens and other precautions the salon has in place.

While nail art is the growing trend, and Chantal says all the team are highly trained on all treatments, she has been focusing on increasing online sales during the lockdowns and planning to introduce new products and treatments when re-opened.

This April the 31-year-old and her partner Will, who live in Wollaston, will be celebrating the birth of their first child, Louis - hopefully after she has already celebrated a national award from TV star Amy Childs in March.