A NEW beauty salon in north Colchester has got off to a flying start.

Afterglow, at Chesterwell Plaza, in Leda Way, Mile End, opened last week and the community welcomed the business with open arms.

The idea for the salon, which offers a range of beauty treatments and services including tanning and nails, came about after its owners noticed they were travelling long distances to top up their tans.

Gazette: New salon - AfterglowNew salon - Afterglow (Image: Afterglow)

Partners and lifelong Colchester residents Kelly Bale and Paul Hammond said: "We moved to the Chesterwell development 18 months ago and noticed we were travelling to the other side of Colchester to find anything similar.

"We want to do something different. Some tanning salons can be claustrophobic with little changing rooms and we want to avoid that."

Gazette: Owners - Kelly Bale and Paul HammondOwners - Kelly Bale and Paul Hammond (Image: Afterglow)

A special launch event last Friday attracted around 200 happy customers.

Mile End councillor and Colchester Council leader David King congratulated the pair on their new venture and wished them well for the future.

Gazette: Look inside - Afterglow houses four sunbeds and two treatment roomsLook inside - Afterglow houses four sunbeds and two treatment rooms (Image: Afterglow)

He said: "It's great to see the salon open as yet another vibrant new business arrives at the Chesterwell Plaza, which is already serving residents well and providing them with opportunities on their doorstep in growing north Colchester."