Dragon TV star backing Affinity
Nov 7 2006 By Rebekah Ashby, The Journal
An upmarket spa and beauty salon celebrated the opening of a second outlet in the North-East with the help of one of its original customers - millionaire entrepreneur and TV star Duncan Bannatyne.
The Stockton-based business, which has been trading for two years, has opened a second salon in Norton, Teesside, with the backing of the tough-talking judge of BBC 2's Dragon's Den.
Affinity, which was set up by former beauty lecturer and qualified beauty therapist Wendy Hewitt in 2004, has opened the new salon after the success of its original salon based in High Street, Yarm.
Duncan Bannatyne, founder and chairman of Darlington-based Bannatyne Leisure, the group which includes gyms, hotels and casinos, said: "Having been a customer of the business from the start I appreciate the excellence of the service offered by Affinity, which has led to the expansion of the business into the up and coming area of Norton.
"I find Affinity's treatments particularly relaxing after a week in London with the Dragons." The new premises, based above Changes hairdressers in Norton Road between Norton High Street and Stockton town centre, mirror the Yarm décor and range of treatments on offer. It features three treatment rooms and there are plans to soon expand the facilities.
Owner Wendy Hewitt said: "One reason for Affinity's success and rapid expansion is the fact that it fills a gap in the market for a salon offering both beauty treatments and spa facilities under one roof.
"The Yarm salon had really taken off and was taking a number of bookings so, when the opportunity arose to expand and purchase a property in Norton, I realised this would be the ideal location to expand the Affinity name and attract custom from Norton and the wider Stockton area."
As well as more traditional facial and body treatments, the business also offers unique procedures, such as cosmetic camouflage, and it has recently invested in a non-surgical facelift machine. The business, which currently employs six staff, is also planning to introduce a weigh-in club for clients where a token fee will be paid on a weekly basis, which can be transferred into treatments once the goal weight is reached.
Business Link account manager Eric Whitehouse has provided advice in a number of areas since Affinity's launch, including in raising finance towards the purchase of new equipment.
He said: "Wendy's dedication to the business is paying dividends and she now has a highly trained and motivated workforce which is a credit to her.
"The opening of a second salon is evidence of the demand for her services."
