A new beauty salon has opened its doors in the Cogan area of Penarth.  

Salah Roap, 37, the owner of Nail Spa on Pill Street, acquired the site back in March, which used to be The Ivy Garden Convenience Store, and it has taken three months to get the salon ready for Nail Spa's opening at the beginning of June. "It's taken quite a bit of time to get everything sorted and it's been a very big project from start to finish," says Mrs Roap.  

"But I've had so much support from the local community; people have walked past the window and popped their heads in to have a chat about what we're doing, even when it was practically a building site." 

The salon used to be The Ivy Garden Convenience Store and Mrs Roap acquired the site in March. (Image credit: Jack Wynn)

Mrs Roap has been working in the beauty industry for approximately six years and previously worked at Beauty Box in Penarth. "I just love doing beauty and nails," she says. "I really love doing what I do."   

But after years of working for other people, the time came to go it alone and set up her own business. Finding a local spot to keep close to her children while they are at school, as well as maintaining relationships with existing clients, was key to her search for a salon.  

"We [her family] live here and I wanted to find something that would be a good fit in our lives and school lives because I have two children," she says. 

Mrs Roap has worked in the beauty industry for approximately six years. (Image credit: Jack Wynn)

"I love the people and community in Penarth; it's just a perfect fit for me. I was looking for a place for quite some time, so when this [51b Pill Street] came up, it was the perfect opportunity." 

Nail Spa's rather unique location was also an attractive selling point for Mrs Roap, nestled among characterful terraced homes, convenience shops and takeaways. "A lot of people in the area have said it's good for a business such as Nail Spa to be here to bring the community closer together instead of a takeaway or convenience shop," she says. 

Despite its name, Nail Spa offers other treatments from eyebrow waxing to lash tinting. It could be seen as an over-saturated market in the town, but Mrs Roap says other Penarth salon owners have shown lots of support. 

Nail Spa's unique location was an attractive selling point for Mrs Roap. (Image credit: Jack Wynn)

"The businesses I've spoken with so far have welcomed Nail Spa with open arms," she says. "Everyone that I've spoken with from other salons in Penarth has been so supportive."  

Although Nail Spa isn't based in Penarth town centre, Mrs Roap believes the Cogan location away from many of the other salons, is a key factor to its early success. "We're slightly outside of Penarth and people here need this different kind of business. 

"Lots of people have come here already, whether they're clients I've seen before or new clients that have passed the window because they know they'll get a high level of service and quality from the products I use." 

Nail Spa has received lots of support from other Penarth salon owners. (Image credit: Jack Wynn)

Just a few weeks after opening, Mrs Roap has been overwhelmed by the positive response to Nail Spa. It's still early days, and there are no plans for expansion or the introduction of more treatments in the near future. "I'm just happy with what I've got at the moment," she says.  

"I'm not looking to be a tycoon or anything – I love my job and I'm really happy with everything I've got right now." 

Find out more about Nail Spa's treatments and introductory offers here.