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Inside the child-friendly countryside nail salon that caters to comfort

By Jess Watts | 08 August 2025 | Feature, Salon & Spas

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Meet Kay Kirsop, the owner of Kay Cooper Nails, a child-friendly salon that prides itself on comfort and safety.

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Kay Kirsop has always loved nails. “From Tipp-Exing the tips of my nails in primary school, to being suspended at the age of 14 for refusing to take off acrylic enhancements, I knew that nails were a love of mine,” she says.

Qualifying in 2011, Kay pursued a career in the nail industry, not only from a place of passion, but with the knowledge that it could help her provide for her daughter. When Kay and her husband moved to Bedford, she decided that working from home was the best option and began setting up a home salon. “I was originally meant to work from the summer house in the bottom of my garden, however there was a huge spider, so I decided to start in the house,” Kay shares.

With their conservatory transformed into a beautiful workspace, Kay began taking clients. But as the business grew, so did the need for her own space – and back to the spider house it was. Now redecorated (and without spider!), Kay Cooper Nails is thriving as a safe space for anyone who needs a break and some self-care.

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The salon is ‘the perfect space for Mums to bring their children to’, according to Kay. It offers a travel cot, electric bouncer and range of toys for young children, and Wi-Fi for older kids.

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The salon boasts a homely, cosy vibe. “I want my clients to feel completely comfortable,” Kay says. “The space is laid out so it feels like you are in a friend’s home. I like the idea that clients can offload to me, as I know from experience how important that is.” Surrounded by lakes, rivers and forests, Kay Cooper Nails is the perfect place to unwind.

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Being open on social media about her fibromyalgia, ADHD, dyslexia and domestic violence survival has encouraged clients in need of a safe space, and Kay’s salon provides just that.

She has worked with a multitude of brands, most recently becoming an ambassador for Artistic Nail Design in 2021 and educating for Sweet Squared. The Scratch Stars Natural Nail Specialist of the Year finalist 2022 & 2023 offers treatments from manicures and pedicures to hard gel, L&P acrylic, builder gel and extension services.

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A keen educator, Kay hopes to open an academy where she can teach others all that she has learned.

Keep up-to-date with Kay via Instagram and Facebook.