Beauty Box in Penarth is looking to expand its business onto the first floor of the building they currently occupy in order to help with coronavirus restrictions as well as the diversification of their business.

Beauty Box is a full-service beauty salon, offering nailcare, waxing, facial treatments, massage, eyelash/eyebrow treatments (including micro-blading).

A change of use has been submitted to the Vale Council to allow for an extension. There will be no external changes to the building.

The retail area, which is on the ground floor, is expected to be increased in size, in response to COVID-19, increasing diversification of business income once some transfer of existing beauty services offered at the ground floor level is relocated upwards to the first floor.

They said: ''Beauty Box will utilise the additional space on the first floor to expand our range of services offered, including bridal services, where a separate space will be invaluable to allow small groups, with social distancing if required, once this is permitted by the Welsh Government.

"The increased area available in the 1st-floor treatment rooms will also allow expansion into services requiring the use of more bulky equipment.

"We employ staff locally from the Vale of Glamorgan/Penarth and Cardiff and support numerous apprentices from local educational establishments. Beauty Box is Penarth-resident owned, a family business with strong local charitable and community links."

Beauty Box has been in its current position, at 4 Royal Buildings since December 1st 2017.

Prior to temporary closure in response to COVID-19, they were open 7 days a week. Monday to Friday from 8.30 am and up to 8 pm on some evenings. Saturday 9 am - 6 pm and Sunday 10 am - 5 pm (typically closing earlier).

In response to COVID-19 for the safety of their staff and clients, they are anticipating increased turnaround times between clients due to increased cleaning/sanitising processes, to allow the changing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and to allow staff breaks.

They said: ''We expect therefore to extend our opening hours in the short-term (more late evenings on weekdays) to be able to continue to offer a similar volume of appointments.

"Given that our offering to the community is that of a quiet oasis of calm offering beauty therapy, our business activities do not disturb our residential/commercial neighbours."

A decision will be made by the planning department on the extension.

To keep up to date with their plans click here.

Sadly the company will not be reopening as soon as they had hoped. They announced on their Facebook page: ''Mark Drakeford (Wales' First Minister) has clarified that unfortunately, beauty salons will not be permitted to reopen alongside hairdressers as previously indicated.

"We hope to learn later this week what the current position is and hopefully some clearer answers on our reopening date. We are obviously disappointed, we've always taken personal & community safety seriously - PPE has always been a part of beauty therapy.

"We've also been busy preparing, renovating the salon and undertaking staff training. We will be ready.

"We will be in contact with all clients with upcoming bookings. We will be open for retail and to allow order collections 11 am - 1 pm Wednesday and Friday in the salon.

"Thank you for your support."