A BEAUTICIAN and registered nurse has made a rallying call to the public over fears about her shop's future.

Vicky Calin opened Boheme Beauty in Barrow’s Buccleuch Street two years ago - just months before the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus.

The 39-year-old moved to Barrow from Romania in 2014 to pursue a career in nursing, joining Risedale Nursing Home and later Furness General Hospital.

After undergoing beautician training in Romania, the mum-of-two decided to practise her hobby in Barrow, carrying out treatments from her home.

The hobby turned into a full-time career when Vicky opened a shop two years ago while continuing her nursing work at Furness General Hospital.

Offering an array of treatments including microblading, dermaplaning, henna brows, lash lifting and tinting, skin tag removal and fat freezing, Vicky built up a loyal customer base after opening her doors.

“I had built up a good customer base in the time I’d been working in Barrow who became my regulars at the shop too,” the nurse-of-17 years said.

“But when lockdown hit things started to go a bit slow, especially in the last six months.

“People are struggling at the moment and have been left without jobs and are finding it hard to afford treatments which is understandable.”

Vicky was unable to access any Government grants through the lockdowns and took out loans to pay her bills and keep the shop open.

She said: “I don’t want to close the shop. I thought I might have to close and start doing treatments from home again but I didn’t realise my lease lasts for two more years at the shop.

“Prices are going up for electricity and products and I’m not seeing as many people so I am concerned about the future.”

The drop in footfall in Barrow town centre has also caused Vicky concern for her small business.

She said: “Barrow town centre especially is very quiet at the moment, people aren’t coming in as much and a lot of people don’t even know I’m here.  

“I wouldn’t feel happy to close the shop, I love what I do and have received some really positive feedback from customers.

“I don’t want to give up on the shop – I want to show my daughter, who is interested in beauty herself, that anything else is possible.”