A BRADFORD salon is over the moon to be nominated for two national awards.

Elise Luxury Hair Boutique, in Wibsey, is up for Best Salon of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year at The UK Hair and Beauty Awards.

Owner Elise Mongan had been a hairdresser for 16 years, working at some of Bradford’s biggest salons, before making the brave jump to fly solo.

So far, it has proven to be a brilliant decision. Not only was the salon nominated this year, in 2021, it finished eighth in the Best Salon category.

Elise hopes to go one step further this time and maybe even win the top prize.

She said: “We are up again this year which is absolutely amazing, I couldn’t be more happier about that. It would be great if we got closer or even won it.

“I have experience working in trendy salons and wanted to give my flair to the industry, so I opened a luxury hair boutique. It has just done amazing.

“I am really passionate in giving my customers a luxury experience. When they come to my salon, it isn’t just a haircut. I am quite big on making sure the customer feels amazing.”

Starting in January 2020, Elise opened her business in arguably the toughest time for the industry with many shops having to close on and off due to restrictions.

She managed to take the positives from the whole situation though, saying it allowed her to build the boutique’s online profile amongst other things.

“I opened the salon six weeks before we went into lockdown,” Elise added.

“It has been really challenging but we have just flourished. I managed to work on the business a lot during the time off.

“There is other things to do besides working on a client’s head. I am quite big on my social media and I think that is how you get noticed.

“Social media is really important for any business. It is a second job.

“It is hard to run both but I think it helps you stay current and you can keep customers updated about what you are doing.”

The UK Hair and Beauty Awards - which will be judged by Amy Childs, Kirsty Meakin and Katie Daley this year - aim to support businesses in the industry, no matter what their financial and social status is. The online ceremony will take place on March 23.