A BUSINESSWOMAN who refused to be beaten by the global pandemic has fulfilled a lifelong dream by opening her own hair salon.

Jade Murphy, who lives in Kelvedon, had been running a mobile hair and beauty treatment before the coronavirus lockdown brought business to a halt.

The success of the venture meant she had planned to open her own salon at Tom’s Garden Centre in Great Totham.

But the grand opening was suspended when the lockdown was enforced in March.

The easing of restrictions in recent months meant Jade was able to revive her ambition of opening her salon and after months of uncertainty, she finally achieved her dream when she cut the ribbon at the Jade Murphy Hair and Beauty salon to mark its official opening.

Jade said: “The last few months have been so hard for all of us in the beauty industry, and it’s going to be a long time until we are back working at full steam. But this new salon is a step in the right direction and I am delighted that even a global pandemic could not stop me achieving my dream of running my own salon.

“It’s been a lifelong dream of mine.

“Although I have been offering beauty treatments for some time, I’ve always wanted to own my own business premises, and so I am over the moon to move into the retail area of Tom’s Garden Centre.”

Jade says the move to a permanent base means she can offer a greater range of treatments and help even more customers.

Plans to offer facial treatments at the salon have been put on hold following the Government’s u-turn on easing certain restrictions.

And despite a survey finding third of hair and beauty businesses may close permanently as a result of the pandemic, Jade is confident her new salon will prove a hit with regular and new customers.

She added: “I’m looking forward to sharing the experience with all my loyal customers as well as some new faces.”

Jade has teamed up with the onsite restaurant at the garden centre, Forget-Me-Not, to offer pamper packages for customers.

For more information, search Jade Murphy Hair and Beauty on Facebook.