Darlington salon Becky C’s crowned Echo’s beauty champion

We asked our readers to tell us which beauty businesses were their go-to spots for artistic nails, hair transformations and rejuvenating facials – and Darlington-based salon, Becki C’s Nails, Beauty and Aesthetics, has come out on top.

The salon, owned by Becki Cooper, 35, from Darlington, is based on Burnside Road.

Becki, who opened her salon at just 17 years old, said: “We’re absolutely over the moon, and I can’t stop grinning like a Cheshire cat.

“You kind of forget that you mean so much to people. We’re just a little salon on an estate in Darlington, we’re not a fancy place, so to be the winner is amazing. Every single one of us is grateful to everyone who voted.”

After she began working with her mum and step-dad at their tanning salon at just 13 years old, Becki said she never looked back and has since built this strong business over the last 16 years, covering all aspects of beauty.

“Some of the clients we have now have been with us since day one,” added Becki.

“There are many salons and beauty places, so for us to still be busy enough and thriving after all this time, it shows we’re doing something right.

“As long as people are getting what they want for good prices, good quality treatment, and they’re happy with the results, the rest doesn’t matter. It reminds you that you’re doing the right thing.”

“It’s a good bit of advertising too, because there might be people who don’t know about us or have forgotten about it who remember we’re here.

“We’re just really, really happy with it.”