Beauty salon Positive Touch on Grange Road in West Kirby has shut up shop for good, and its owner, who once ran a sister salon on Telegraph Road in Heswall, has described how the pandemic took its toll.

Laura Weston, who launched Positive Touch two decades ago, and opened the Heswall salon back in early 2016, has explained the reasons for the demise of her business on the company's website.

Positive Touch West Kirby reopened in April as COVID-19 restrictions began to ease, but since then the going has proved too tough and the salon closed its doors for the last time just before 'Freedom Day'.

Laura wrote: "Over the last year or so I have fought tirelessly to keep the salon open and explored every avenue to keep going. However, our 20th year will be Positive Touch's final chapter.

"Trying to stay afloat when the boat we are on is constantly being punched with holes has been exhausting. We are still miles from shore when it comes to this virus and there are no reserves in the tank to carry on.

"I am sorry for all those who have appointments booked as we'll have to cancel. I am so sorry for those who have bought vouchers as I can't honour them.

"But most of all I am sorry to the new, talented team we opened with in April when I was genuinely hopeful we'd pull through. Especially after the hard work everyone has put in, and I will be sad that I won't get to see talents develop of probably the best team I have worked with.

"Many, many of you have been with me from the time I started across the road as a young 26-year old taking a gamble on doing something I love. Never really knowing if I was good enough to make a go of it. You helped the business grow, and me too.

"I want to thank you all for believing in what I was trying to do. You haven't seen the last of me yet, but I need time to dust myself down, spend time with my kids and see what's ahead."