A THRIVING but small hair dressing business has taken the natural extension by moving to high street premises.

Owner Helen Stratoudakis has made the big step from a mobile business, going to customers homes 18 months ago, to opening a two-storey salon in Durham city centre.

In between she operated from a small first-floor room above a baker's shop in Saddler Street.

But business was so brisk that she looked to expand and has opened in the transformed former Cartridge World shop, at the bottom of Claypath.

One floor is dedicated to extensions, both eye lash and nail, while the other floor is the hair studio.

Ms Stratoudakis has recruited eight stylists to join her in the new venture, Strictly Extensions & Beyond which opened last Friday.

From east Durham, she trained as a hair stylist at Peterlee College 20 years ago.

She is now a qualified trainer in extensions and she said it is the main reason why the business outgrew its previous premises.

"Extensions are really taking off and we do the full range of hair, nail and eye lash extensions," she said.

Strictly Extensions & Beyond, at 94 Claypath, can be contacted on 0191-370 9234.

"All our old regulars have come to have a look at the new salon, and we're hoping to build up the numbers of new customers."

Strictly Extensions & Beyond, at 94 Claypath, can be contacted on 0191-370 9234.

(JAN 20) and business is already building up, with former customers staying loyal keen to try the new premises, while Helen and her colleagues are adding new converts sampling the salon for the first time.