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When the pandemic is over what will be left of the UK’s High Streets?

Thousands of traders – big and small – have already gone to the wall. Many more are struggling to survive.

In this five-part series, the cultural historian Professor Deborah Sugg Ryan tells the deeply personal stories of five small businesses from across the UK, fighting to keep their heads above water. She also reveals the often surprising social history that lies behind many of our shop windows.

Today she focusses on the beauty industry and hears from Lisa Owen who runs the New Image beauty salon in Bangor, North Wales. Her business has been devastated by Covid but she’s determined to fight on. The Guardian’s beauty editor Sali Hughes gives an overview of the industry and Professor Jessica Clark, author of The Business of Beauty, reveals the secret history of the beauty parlour.

Written and presented by Professor Deborah Sugg Ryan
Producer: Tara Holmes

A Whistledown production for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 4