A FLEDGLING salon which was pulled together with just a week's notice has just celebrated its first anniversary.

Elisa McAvoy and Jade Clarkson had to move fast when they heard that their salon was closing in its current form.

The pair had built up a steady following in the Ribble Valley and were worried about what their loyal customers would think.

And so with just six days grace, they sat down and created Elizabeth Grace Hair in Whalley, so they could hit the ground running and honour their appointments.

That initial period saw the business partners, who had worked in Whalley for more than 10 years apiece, negotiating a lease, coming up with a business plan, sourcing the finance and undergoing a renovation.

In the week they had set aside, family and friends pitched in to give their base a new lease of life.

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Jade said: "It was no small feat, by any means. We had to turn the property from an unrecognisable establishment into something that now stands as a proud achievement within the village."

They even had to come up with an identity for the salon - so deployed each of their middle names.

Elisa added: "Twelve months ago, we had no idea of the journey Jade and I, and our family, were going to undertake.

"This experience has been emotional and tiring but we would not change it – it has highlighted our determination and showed the village and local businesses that we are here to stay.

"I am really proud of where we are and we are definitely looking forward to the future."

Looking back to their initial launch, Jade admits that the pair were "shocked" to find out they would have to go it alone, with customer already booked up for the next few weeks.

Fast forward to late 2018 and the salon has now hired a new senior stylist, Robyn Riley, and an apprentice, Lola Bolton, and have extended their client base, while recording sales topping £90,000 for 2017-18.

The young enterprise also secured a nomination for the Ribble Valley Business Awards and enlisted with the family-owned hair products range Davines as a trading partner.

This weekend the salon will be looking to play its own part in promoting trading in Whalley by staging a promotional day at their revamped premises in King Street.

Not only while they be showcasing their products and services but they hope that the event, on Saturday from 6pm to 8.30pm, will give business people in the village a chance to network and socialise.