A NAIL salon owner taking part in Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Picture This campaign says she is sure the beauty industry will recover and flourish again after lockdown.

The campaign features local people talking about the things they miss doing the most. The goal is to remind residents that if everyone does their bit to control the spread of coronavirus then life will return to normal much quicker.

And Charli Jepson, owner of Charli and The Beauty Factory salon in Richmond Terrace, Blackburn, is optimistic about the future. She said: “I don’t think the beauty industry will recover, I know it will recover.”

Ms Jepson, who is a session technician at London and Paris Fashion weeks and has worked for the nail team on The X Factor, said she was looking forward to reopening her doors when it is safe to do so and welcoming clients, colleagues and friends back.

In the meantime, much of her time has been spent teaching online, helping others start their careers in the beauty industry.

She said: “We have training with people all over the country. It’s just so nice to see that people are saying ‘you know what, I’ve been made redundant and I’ve wanted to do this for years’ – and they’re doing it.”

Despite the optimism for the future, Ms Jepson said the pandemic has been hard on her salon and others in the beauty industry.

She said: “The girls that work here have struggled. They’re self-employed, so it has been really tough. It has been tough on them mentally and financially, but they’re the best, funniest group of girls you could wish to go through this with.

“I’m looking forward to inviting all my clients back in, to having the shop full again, seeing all the girls working with them. I’m looking forward to seeing clients, just to have a chat with them and give them a hug.”

Councillor Phil Riley, executive member for growth and development at Blackburn with Darwen Council, welcomed the involvement of Charli and other local people in the campaign.

He said: “I’m pleased that we’ve been able to provide grants to local businesses like Charli’s that have had to close during lockdowns and extended restrictions here in Blackburn with Darwen. “It’s been a very turbulent time and it’s great to hear Charli talking so optimistically about the future, so let’s join her in looking ahead.”

To find out more about the Picture This campaign, go to: https://theshuttle.org.uk/picture-this/.