Jemma Sandell loves her work.

In fact, she feels she has her dream job.

But it’s been a difficult, and uncertain, time for the massage and beauty therapist who owns Ferndown-based Relax & Remedy.

Because if there’s one sector that’s taken a particular battering over the last 18 months than it’s the beauty industry.

According to statistics from the NHBF (National Hair and Beauty Federation) and the British Beauty Council, more than 7,300 beauty salons have gone out of business since March 2020.

And the latest survey of beauty professionals and salons by the NHBF revealed that business is down for three in five beauty businesses while only one in four are making any kind of profit.

Especially worrying is that after the initial busy period post lockdown, clients have not returned to the hair and beauty sector in the same numbers as before the pandemic.

In the beauty sector, with trade relying heavily on client experience and social events, 60 per cent of the 1,750 respondents in the survey reported business as being quieter or really quiet.

Meanwhile The Local Data Company estimated that, as of May, 16 per cent of the industry has been lost to the Covid-19 crisis.

Without careful management of the recovery, it’s feared the figure could continue to rise, with the greatest impact felt by women and young people.

A key reason why the British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (BABTAC) has urged people to ‘Book in for Beauty’.

The twin aim is for clients to secure the future of the salons they love while improving their own wellbeing.

The initiative is strongly backed by Jemma, 34, who launched Essence of you Beauty two years ago but rebranded to Relax & Remedy in July.

She said: “It’s not just a question of having a pamper or beauty treatment but also people’s mental health,

“People have missed human touch and interaction. It’s something I’ve certainly noticed with my clients.”

Lesley Blair, BABTAC CEO and Chair, said: “Constantly having to stay at home has discouraged the need for personal grooming, which could play a factor in rising anxiety levels.

“When we feel low, sick, or tired, we also tend to stop focusing on self-care, which can affect our confidence.

“Generally, when we take pride in our appearance, it boosts our confidence and makes us feel happier.”

Jemma is full of praise for BABTAC.

The not for profit organisation is one of the UK’s leading membership organisations and insurance providers.

It was founded to raise the level of professionalism in the beauty, holistic and hair industries.

Jemma, who is married to Ashley and has two daughters aged seven and eight, said: “They have been very supportive throughout the pandemic.”

Jemma, who has her own treatment room in the Arena Business Centre on the Ferndown Industrial Estate, pictured left, started out as a nail technician in 2010.

She then trained in holistic massage, adding deep tissue massage, beauty therapy, intimate waxing as well as a large number of other skills and training courses.

Since launching her business Jemma has built up a client base of nearly 200.

They range in age from teenagers to clients in their 80s.

The three lockdowns allowed Jemma to work on her website and learn new skills.

She also launched new innovations such as pamper boxes and video sessions and worked closely with her business mentor, Natasha Britton.

Jemma said: “I thoroughly enjoy all of the treatments I offer and love to see the finished results, even if it is a leg wax!

“Seeing the results and the difference a treatment can make to a client is what I enjoy.

“Happy clients make me happy.”

• relaxandremedy.co.uk