A YOUNG hairdresser "couldn't be happier" as he celebrated the launch of his hair salon in Sutton over the weekend.

With almost 10 years of experience working in salons across St Helens, Luke Winstanley made the brave business leap after the previous owner of the salon decided to close the shop down.

Explaining that "opportunities to open your own business don't come around very often", Luke jumped at the chance to take over the salon and celebrated the opening of LTW Hair Company at a launch event on Saturday, October 2.

With difficulties accessing government funding throughout the pandemic as he had not long been in self-employment, Luke explained that, like everyone, he has had a difficult 18 months where he has "ploughed through [his] house savings" in order to keep living and working.

Nevertheless, after making the decision to take over the shop, the 25-year-old has been working hard to bring his vision of the salon to life, which meant a dramatic re-modelling of the building was inevitable.

St Helens Star: The launch event was said to be a great success, attended by family, friends and clients Luke has gathered over the last 10 yearsThe launch event was said to be a great success, attended by family, friends and clients Luke has gathered over the last 10 years

Luke, from Haydock, said: "Opening my own salon is something I've always wanted wanted to do. I've worked my backside off to create my dream shop and I couldn't be happier with the final result."

Saturday's launch was described as a great success, with an excellent turn-out of family, friends and clients Luke has amassed over the last decade.

The former Haydock High and St Helens College student added: "The event was just lovely. I couldn't have asked for anything more."

"I only opened properly yesterday and I've been really busy, and that's how I intend to carry on!"

LTW is located at 4 Sutton Park Drive, St Helens.