A NEW nail and beauty salon – with a difference – is being opened in Stourbridge this month.

The Nail Lounge, a venture from former bank worker Loretta Walker, of Stourport, will be opening on April 15 in Church Street by Margot James, Conservative parliamentary candidate for Stourbridge.

Loretta said: “I started my career in the financial industry, where I worked in for over 10 years, but my real passion was always beauty.

“I was never given the opportunity to get my foot in the door of a salon but I was offered a job in a bank and worked my way up the ranks, until I decided that I needed to re-train and re-start my passion.

“I worked in a salon evenings and weekends to build up my client base, while still working full time at bank, but after three years of blood, sweat and tears – and usually 12 to 15 hour days – I was at a stage where I could finally give up my bank job and do nails full time.”

Loretta is also an educator for nail manufacturer OPI and the salon will become the only OPI training academy within the West Midlands.

The 32-year-old added: “After working in and running a space for a while, the time has finally arrived that I can open my own salon.

“I am very excited about opening the salon and can’t wait for it Margot to cut the ribbon.”