A Bishop Auckland salon owner is "over the moon" after her business became a finalist in The Northern Echo's Best Beauty Salon Awards.
The Studio Hair and Beauty has been shortlisted for the award after building a loyal following with its close-knit team.
Owner Claire Breckon, 40, has worked on Bishop Auckland’s high street for more than 20 years and opened the salon at its current site almost three years ago.
The Studio, Bishop Auckland pictured Clare Breckon, Fiona Thurston and Shannon Walton. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
Beauty therapist and nail technician Claire runs the business alongside beauty therapist Fiona Thurston, make-up artist Shannon Walton and microblading specialist Kara Hinds.
Johnny, Justine, Elle, Sarah, Cherrie, Susan and Ina cover the hair side of the business.
The salon was a finalist in the Northern Echo Best Hairdresser award last year.
Claire created the salon as a shared space where independent beauty professionals rent rooms and work together under one roof.
She said: "It works really well, we just bounce off each other, it's really friendly."
The nomination means even more to Claire because Fiona first inspired her to pursue a career in beauty.
The Studio, Bishop Auckland pictured Clare Breckon. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
The pair met at college, where Fiona asked Claire to be her client while she trained.
The experience sparked Claire’s interest in beauty, eventually leading her to open her own business. Fiona later joined the team.
The business previously operated from another site in Bishop Auckland.
Reflecting on being shortlisted for the award, Claire said: "I'm over the moon.
"We just keep getting bigger and better.
"The salon, we just keep going.
"It's so good to be nominated.
"And Bishop doesn't have a very good name at the minute.
"A lot of people moan that everything's shutting down, but I feel like our business just keeps getting better and better."
Claire hopes the recognition will showcase her team’s work and the independent businesses still thriving in Bishop Auckland.
The Studio Hair and Beauty is one of 10 finalists selected from hundreds of reader nominations for the 2026 Best Beauty Salon award.
To vote, complete the form in The Northern Echo each day for the next two weeks and post it to The Northern Echo Best Beauty Salon 2026, Local IQ House, 1 Dalston Road, Carlisle, CA2 5NP.
Votes will be counted shortly after voting closes.
The salon is based at 10 Kensington South, Bishop Auckland.
You can follow them on Instagram here.