Beauty salon owner uses free time to raise hundreds for NHS with walks

A beauty salon owner who fears for the future of her business has used her free time to help those on the frontline of the Covid-19 battle.

Suzanne Clark has had to close her award-winning Cupar shop and furlough staff during lockdown.

While she worries about weathering the storm, she has used the good weather to raise money for the NHS.

Suzanne, 48, raised more than £600 by walking five kilometres a day for a week.

Customers of Inner Beauty, which was named best beauty salon in last year’s Fife Retail Business Awards, were among those who supported her fundraiser for the coronavirus ward at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.

Suzanne, of Wormit, said: “I can’t work at the moment and this was something I wanted to do to give a little bit back.

“Instead of sitting at home on my backside feeling miserable I decided to get out walking and do 5k a day for a week.”

The challenge took Suzanne’s mind off her fears for her Bonnygate salon, where she has three staff.

She said: “I’m really worried whether we will survive this.

“Summer is our busiest time so it’s a real worry that this will have a knockon effect for another year. After the busy period you are into winter when it’s quieter.

“By the time we get back people will be struggling financially and they’re not going to want to get their nails done.

“Getting your hair done is seen as more of a necessity but beauty is still a bit of a luxury.

“How much disposable income are people going to have?

“It’s not just a case of when we get back to work, I’m worried to open to it not being busy.”

Suzanne has been a self-employed beauty therapist since 2004 and opened her salon in 2006, where she has built up a loyal customer base.

She also runs North East Fife Beauty Academy from the premises with Gillian Brunton.

Suzanne Clark.