A HAIRDRESSER has fulfilled her life-long dream of owning a salon.

Studio 5 opened in High Street, Manningtree, on Saturday.

The shop is owned by Angela Underwood, who decided to launch the business when the previous salon she worked at for nine years was unable to reopen.

Ms Underwood said: “I was unemployed and like everyone else I had no income to pay the bills.

Halstead Gazette:

Open - The salon is in the town cente Pictures: Debbie Burrows

“And it was at this low point I decided that I needed to bring out the fight in me.

“I have always wanted to own my own salon and with the help of my husband we were quickly on the phone enquiring about a vacant shop.

“Within two days the shop was mine and I had my own set of keys to start the major overhaul to turn it into a hair salon.”

She works alongside friend and former colleague Sharon Lamb.

Halstead Gazette:

She added:"It’s hard to believe I have finally achieved my dream of owning and running my own shop and the knowledge and confidence I have gained along the way has been a real journey. The community support has been amazing and I am honoured to be part of it all.

"I lost both my mother and father last year due to ill health and I wish they could have been here to see myself achieve my dream of owning my own shop since I was 20 years old.

"I would like to think they would be enormously proud of me."