An Andover salon owner has celebrated a second year in business after successfully surviving the pandemic.

Beauty and Brows, located in the upper high street, invited guests to a celebration of their second anniversary after a year full of “ups and downs”, including Councillor Rebecca Meyer. The guest of honour was campaigner Manuela Wahnon, who opened the shop in 2019 and cut the celebratory cake on its second anniversary.

Speaking to the Advertiser, owner Amanpreet Bale said: “It was wonderful to celebrate two years of successful business with my clients, as well as with a member of the council and Manuela.

“This anniversary has been great, and provided an energetic welcome to newcomers. We’re hoping to do something similar every year going forward.”

The salon opened in 91 High Street two years ago, and quickly found a strong following from the Andover community as it provides a variety of treatments for customers. Following its opening in July 2019, it was forced to close in March 2020 as the first national lockdown came in.

“Ups and downs are a part of life,” said Amanpreet, “and we definitely all faced a very difficult time.”

However, she paid tribute to the support of the Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) and the government, but especially local people, for getting her business through the pandemic.

She said: “I am very happy that the TVBC independent business grant scheme, the government’s COVID-19 business support grants and Andover people have made my business successful.”

Along with many others, she reopened on April 12, and had to put in a booking system and work extra hours to meet the demand from the public.

Speaking to the Advertiser in April, Amanpreet said that “life is back on track” and that business was “good”.

“It will take a bit longer to be normal again but clients are coming,” she added.

Now the lockdown has continued, and the clients keep coming, Amanpreet decided to give back to her clients with the celebration.

“It was really necessary to celebrate, especially this year,” she said. “I hope we can motivate other small businesses, and cherish our customers as well.”