A NORTH Cumbrian salon owner has been named Beautician of the Year at the English Hair and Beauty Awards in Manchester.

Beth Thurman, who runs Banks Health and Beauty in Bank Street, Carlisle, received the award in front of 550 people at the Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel.

It was almost a double for Banks because the salon itself – the first in Cumbria dedicated to laser treatments – was shortlisted for North West Beauty Salon of the Year only to be nudged out by Bodywise of Bolton.

Mrs Thurman, 34, said: “The shortlisting is based on nominations from clients. We had nomination forms for clients to send in and we were asking them nominate us as a salon but I never expected to be shortlisted for Beautician of the Year.

“It was a complete surprise and I’m very appreciative and humbled to have won. It’s all a bit of a blur really.”

The category recognises a beautician who makes a potentially-painful procedure as painless as possible and is a “go-to beauty expert” who build close and trusted relationships with clients.


Beth Thurman Mrs Thurman was one of 10 shortlisted from salons across the country. She set up Banks Health and Beauty only 18 months ago. 

Services include hair and tattoo removal, laser lipo and body rework, facial skin tightening and rejuvenation, blemish, vein and stretch-mark reduction, and chemical peels. 

She said: “I read all the beauty industry magazines, and it was clear that laser was the way forward, especially for hair removal.

“Conventional treatments such as waxing and electrolysis are not permanent solutions. Laser kills off the hair follicle so the hair never grows again.”

Mrs Thurman qualified as a beauty at Carlisle College in 1998. After working in various salons, including Dreamsday Spa at Kingstown, Carlisle, she became self-employed in 2007 buying her first laser equipment two years later.

She worked from home at first before starting Banks in September 2014.

The salon employed another beauty therapist, Marie Morson, from the start, and has just taken on a second, Louise Davidson.

Mrs Thurman added: “I couldn’t have won without Louise and Marie, it’s a real team effort.”