PLUSH and luxurious interiors and a relaxing atmosphere is the first impression you get when you walk into The Secret Halo – based in the former St Helens Star offices.

After a year of blood sweat and tears, the owner of The Secret Halo on Boundary Road Gemma Dean has expanded her business moving into the former St Helens Star offices on Hardshaw Street – which has been empty since 2015.

St Helens Star: Gemma at The Secret HaloGemma at The Secret Halo (Image: Gemma at The Secret Halo)

The salon is based over two floors providing hair styling, wig and hair loss advice and treatments, beauty and makeup, aesthetics, nails, allergy testing, reflexology, reiki and more – even utilising the Vault previously used when the building was a bank for truly sound proofed holistic treatments.

St Helens Star:

Gemma, who grew up in Eccleston and currently lives in Haresfinch, said: “It’s been a lot of hard work, but the landlords at the site on Boundary Road own here and we know and trust what they do and we’ve worked together to create this.

St Helens Star: The Secret HaloThe Secret Halo (Image: The Secret Halo)

“To say I’m thrilled would be an understatement, I’m a perfectionist so I’ve chosen everything, the mirrors and the lights – which I changed my mind on and had changed – have all been chosen with customers in mind and to give that elevated atmosphere.

St Helens Star:

“We love our customers and in order to grow we needed more space; we are proud and happy to be part of the regeneration of the town centre and the support we’ve already had from the community – many popping in and asking for a price list and what it is we do – has been amazing.

St Helens Star: The Secret HaloThe Secret Halo (Image: The Secret Halo)

“It’s really important to me that we offer something you can’t get anywhere else nearby, the people working here are passionate about what they each do in their own way, and I love that.

St Helens Star:

“It’s been a huge project, we’ve had a lot of setbacks, but to see the end result and be here now I couldn’t be happier, I hope the town will support us.”

St Helens Star:

Gemma also hopes to venture into having more treatments in the future such as Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and more. 

St Helens Star:

For the website, listing costs and services available at The Secret Halo, go to thesecrethaloretreat.com