A YOUNG Blackheath beauty therapist has overcome the challenges of the coronavirus lockdown to finally open her own salon after months of uncertainty.

Charlotte Palmer was set to open Miss Charlotte's Beauty on Blackheath high street in March, just as lockdown restrictions were imposed.

After months of delays and anxious waiting, the 24-year-old finally opened her salon on July 16.

The opening of beauty salons happened later than other establishments, such as hairdressers, and even when opened were not allowed to carry out certain treatments such as facials.

In a further twist Charlotte was set to restart facial treatments last weekend and had list of eager customers, before Boris Johnson put on the brakes on further lockdown easing with just 24 hours notice.

She estimates she has lost around £800 over the past week by having to cancel customers who were lined up for beauty treatments after the government's eleventh hour announcement.

Charlotte said: "I was supposed to open in March but then lockdown happened. It was gut wrenching, I had everything ready and sorted and was raring to go.

"Then I had cancel everything, I already had appointments made before I had even opened."

Now she is open and welcoming customers with a raft of safety measures in place such as temperature testing and the use of visors and masks.

Anyone who does not have a mask can buy one at the salon, with proceeds donated to Diabetes UK which is cause close to Charlotte's heart as she lives with type one diabetes.

Charlotte said: "The salon has been busy but then this face and eye treatment rule came in which caused a new problem."

She has written to her MP James Morris urging the government to lift the restriction on facial treatments in line with beauty measures aimed at men, such as beard trims offered at barbers, which are allowed.

Despite the difficulties, Charlotte is optimistic about the future.

Charlotte added: "I'm a one man band at the moment, I thought it was best to start off small. I want to highlight the struggles that beauty therapists are going through at the moment, especially for young business owners."