Step inside the Haverhill beauty salon ‘where heritage meets luxury’
By Jess Watts | 17 May 2026 | Techs & Salons
Rooted in history and driven by a passion for elevated nailcare, The Mills Beauty Boutique in Suffolk strives to create a salon experience that is not only luxurious, but tailored to each individual.
Nestled within the historic Chauntry Mills site in Haverhill – once home to the well-known Gurteens factory – the salon has a story woven into its walls. Previously the site of a different salon, The Mills Beauty Boutique opened in April 2026 and is the culmination of more than 20 years’ industry experience.
“The salon is rooted in a personal connection to the Chauntry Mills site,” explains salon owner, Emma Brock. “Members of my family once worked at the Gurteens factory, so that heritage played a significant role in shaping the concept – blending the character and history of the building with a modern, luxury salon experience.”
Emma began her training at West Suffolk College in 2003, and has since invested heavily in continued education – training with brands including OPI and undertaking advanced courses in nail enhancements, prescriptive manicures and evolving salon techniques. Emma is an OPI Nail Boss, and The Mills Beauty Boutique proudly uses the brand’s products in-salon.
Transformation
Before becoming The Mills Beauty Boutique, the space was home to The Naildresser – an established salon where Emma herself worked. “Taking it on gave me the opportunity to evolve something familiar into something more aligned with my brand, while maintaining a sense of continuity for existing clients,” Emma shares.
The transformation happened at remarkable speed. “From concept to completion, the refurbishment took just one weekend,” Emma recalls. “It involved long days, late nights and a very hands-on approach – but it was incredibly rewarding to see the vision come to life so quickly.”
The process was not without its challenges. “There were last-minute decisions, dust everywhere and a moment where I questioned whether I’d taken on too much in such a short space of time,” she laughs. “But somehow, it all fell into place just in time to open the doors to clients.”
A welcoming aesthetic
The interior of The Mills Beauty Boutique is built around the philosophy of the brand: ‘where heritage meets luxury’. The colour palette draws directly from the space’s Gurteens heritage, pairing deep navy tones with warm neutrals and gold accents. “It was important to me to retain a sense of the building’s past, so the colour scheme reflects both strength and softness, creating a timeless, understated and luxury feel,” Emma acknowledges.
Key features include a statement logo wall that serves as the focal point of the salon, alongside carefully considered textures and furniture – chosen to feel both high-end and welcoming.
“I wanted the environment to feel like somewhere clients can switch off and enjoy a moment of calm,” Emma explains. “The balance between heritage and modern luxury is what makes the space unique, and it’s something that runs through every detail.”
A focus on small yet thoughtful touches extends beyond aesthetics: phone chargers at every desk, discreet bag hooks and gold dishes for jewellery during treatments ‘make clients feel truly looked after and elevate their visits’.
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And then there is Benny – the salon’s resident dachshund, who has become something of a signature feature. “He’s often found asleep in the calmest corners of the salon,” Emma smiles, “which I think says everything about the atmosphere we’ve created.”
The service menu
The Mills Beauty Boutique offers a range of nail services, from natural nailcare treatments and luxury manicures and pedicures, to gel polish, builder gel and acrylic enhancements. “Our most popular treatment is structured gel manicures, particularly using builder systems, as clients are increasingly looking for strength and longevity while maintaining a natural look,” Emma reveals.
The salon works predominantly with OPI, including its GELevate™ system, alongside Lecenté – brands chosen for the prescriptive approach they enable. “Not every client’s nails require the same system,” Emma explains. “We assess factors such as nail condition, lifestyle and desired outcome before selecting the most suitable product. It’s about elevating the service beyond a standard treatment and creating something tailored and considered for each client.”
The team
The Mills Beauty Boutique is run by a close-knit team of three. Emma leads the salon as owner, overseeing nail services and the day-to-day running of the business. Alongside her are Gaby – a senior nail technician and beauty therapist specialising in nails, brows and make-up, and Katie – a beauty therapist offering nail, lash and brow treatments.
Both Gaby and Katie work as self-employed professionals within the salon – a business model Emma feels strongly about. “I believe in supporting and building other technicians, giving them the space to grow their own businesses while working within a high-standard, collaborative environment,” she says.
The future
Emma already has her sights set firmly on future expansion plans. “Education is a natural next step, and I plan to introduce training alongside the salon – creating an environment where I can share my knowledge and help other professionals build both skills and confidence,” she says.
Recognition within the industry is also on the horizon, with ambitions to enter the Scratch Stars Awards. “Achieving that level of recognition would be a proud milestone and a reflection of the standards we’re building,” Emma shares.
She adds: “Ultimately, the vision is to grow a brand that stands for quality, experience and development, while staying true to the heritage-led, luxury identity that defines The Mills Beauty Boutique.”
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