The largest nail bar chain in the world is opening its third outlet in the North-East. The nails inc chain already has two sites within the House of Fraser and Debenhams stores in the MetroCentre, Gateshead, and is set to open its first city centre site later this month. The nail bar will be launched within Fenwick, in Newcastle, offering clients a full range of nail services, from basic manicures and pedicures to individually customised nail art and pampering treatments. There are 30 nails inc centres across the UK, with other sites opening in Milton Keynes, Edinburgh and Ireland. The firm, which was founded by entrepreneur and fashion editor Thea Green in 1999, has produced its own range of nail colours and care products, which are also sold through shopping channel QVC. Services include manicures, priced from £10, nail extensions, nail art, natural wraps and a Macho Mani range of treatments for men.

NEW JOBS: A £2.5m spa, brasserie and bedroom extension to Headlam Hall Hotel, at Gainford, near Barnard Castle, County Durham, will create 20 jobs. Most of the jobs will be within the spa facility and treatment rooms. The development, which includes five hotel bedrooms and two suites, is awaiting approval from Teesdale District Council before work starts in October.

Fleet addition: An independent logistics company has invested £850,000 to add 16 trucks to its Darlington fleet. The Stiller Group, which has its head office in Stockton, has bought the Volvo tractor units as part of its ongoing expansion. The group has also opened a 350,000sq ft distribution centre at Darton, South Yorkshire. The vehicles will be added to those delivering to Savers Health and Beauty stores across the North. The Stiller Group has an annual turnover of £70m, and employs more than 950 people.

easy money: Budget airline easyJet stuck by its profit forecasts yesterday after revealing it carried 18 per cent more passengers last month than a year ago, taking the total for the year to August to 29.2 million.

Prices up: House prices rose by 1.6 per cent during August following the recent cut in interest rates, according to Halifax