A high-end hair and beauty salon will bring up to 20 jobs when it opens in a former food store in Carlisle city centre next month.

The Lowther Street building which housed Farm Foods until it moved to Shaddongate, is being transformed into a luxury salon to be called Gabriel Ruane.

Man behind the venture is 48-year-old business consultant Colin Murray who was inspired by his hairdresser wife Kath to convert the building into a salon.

Manager will be 23-year-old Emily Marchi who headed a salon in Sydney, Australia for 18 months and was named in the top 20 stylists in Scotland and the north of England in the Wella Trend Vision competition. She also worked at Nelson Brown in Dumfries which was Scottish Hairdresser of the Year in 2011.

She said: "This is such an exciting development for us. We will take on up to 20 stylists. Our customers will get a high-end service in a relaxed and stress-free environment. We won't be rushing clients in and out. We will make it an enjoyable experience."

The salon is fitted out with Italian leather chairs and the latest in electric backwash designs.

Emily explained that as well as being a hair salon Gabriel Ruane will host training events for major hair brands and college students studying hairdressing.

Already the salon has been involved in a number of photo shoots including a fashion show at The Lanes and Carlisle Racecourse as well as an event in Debenhams.

Colin, who lives in Dumfries where his wife's salon is based, added: "I have made it a point to use as many local contractors as possible in the work on the salon.

"Also last year we sponsored Carlisle United and are looking to do the same this year."

Gabriel Ruane will also have nail and brow bars on the premises for the use of hair salon clients.

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