A WOMAN who harboured a long-held ambition to run a business has ‘won’ her own shop.

For Sameera Shahid, 34, from Nelson, Friday the 13th was a lucky day as she opened the doors of Sam’s Beauty Box after winning the Pendle Rise Win a Shop competition.

Sameera, who attended Edge End High School and Nelson and Colne College, impressed the judges at a gruelling Dragon’s Den-style interview with plans for her new hair, make up, nail, brow and henna art bar, seeing off more than 20 other entrants.

Sam’s Beauty Box, will also provide alternative therapies such as Indian head massage and Thai foot massage.

The prize, which is valued at around £30,000, is a 100 sq ft retail unit in Pendle Rise with free rent and rates for a year.

She will also get retail mentoring by neighbouring store Wilko and financial, business and marketing support from Pendle Council’s economic development team.

She also received a business start-up grant of £2,000 and a premises improvement grant of £700 from Pendle Council as part of their ‘gearing up for growth’ campaign.

She will employ two apprentices and a beauty student will work part time.

Sameera said: “When I heard I’d won I was ecstatic.

“I studied business as a teenager and always said I would open up a shop before I was 30.

“It’s a bit later but now I’ve done it.

”I’m so excited about my new venture and I’ve had support from so many people.”

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson cut the ribbon to open the shop yesterday and said the town would benefit from small businesses starting up.

Jeannie Pritchard, of Fairacre Asset Management Ltd, the new landlords of Pendle Rise, said: “We’re delighted to provide this opportunity for a young entrepreneur to fulfil her retail ambition.

“Sam’s Beauty Box will be a welcome addition to the retail mix of Pendle Rise.”

Paul Collins, Pendle Council’s town centres regeneration officer, was one of the ‘Dragon’s Den’ judges.

He said: “This is a great example of partnership working to support retail businesses in Pendle.”

Advice and information on grants for new entrepreneurs like Sameera and for established businesses is available from www.pendle.gov.uk/business.