THE beauty business is booming for Hexham beautician Haley Stokoe who has taken the plunge and gone it alone.

Beautiful Betty has proved a popular new edition to Hallgate and, based in The Old Stables, is very much Haley’s baby as she runs the beauty salon as a sole trader.

Since setting out on her own, the beautician has been polishing up on her new independent role with the support of both old and new clients.

She said: “It has been unbelievable; I can’t believe the response I’ve had.

“It takes a lot of doing to make that first step; it’s been a bit of a whirlwind.

“The support from clients has been more than I could even imagine.

“I can't put a reason on the success so far but I hope people appreciate what I do; if you love a job it shows.”

Celebrating her ninth week since opening the doors for the first time, Haley has been in the enviable position of managing a packed out appointments book over the first two months.

Clients are seen on a one-on-one basis in the salon, making the quiet and calm of the private space a unique selling point for the business.

The secluded spot is a former stables block which has now been stamped with Haley's vision of her dream business.

She admits that Hexham was always going to be the home of her first business as, not only is it a hub for the Tynedale community, but also her home town.

Haley has worked in Hexham since she was 16, spending 11 years training as a beauty therapist at Transcend, on St Mary’s Chare, before leaving last year.

Working a temporary job while she found the right location for her own business, it took 14 months from leaving Transcend to Haley setting up her own place.

But the wait has been worthwhile as she gets to enjoy a space of her design, with a customised space for tanning and nail treatments downstairs, and an upstairs room for massage, beauty treatment and waxing.

Haley has purposely lent towards a minimalist style for the salon with touches of colour brought through products such as the display of nail polishes and fresh flowers.

However, among the personal touches is a framed motto - a gift from a friend - which perfectly sums up Haley’s new business move: “She believed she could, so she did.”

“It’s been something I’ve always wanted to do but never had the means or the mindset to go for it,” Haley added. “It’s great working for some else because you learn a lot, but it’s about taking control of your own life and future.”