A beauty and massage salon in Hamilton is up for sale as the owner is leaving the island later this year.

Northern Rose Salon opened its doors five years ago, and has enjoyed success. After starting as a team of two, there are now three members of staff, and the business has established a good level of clientele.

Owner Caroline Mcgill has worked as a massage therapist since arriving on the island 22 years ago. She started at the Fairmont Southampton, and eventually progressed to opening her own salon on the second floor of Hamilton House, Queen Street.

After getting married last year, and with an eye on the future, she and her husband plan to move to Mexico.

Bermuda’s cost of living, increasing taxes, including those for businesses in Hamilton, and to a degree the uncertainty over her status even though she has lived in Bermuda for 22 years, are all factors in the decision to sell up and relocate. But it has been a tough decision.

“I do love the island and I’m going to miss it, but I can’t afford to retire here,” she said.

The business has two large treatment rooms, a reception area, and a utility room that includes a washing machine. There is a further room that could be converted into a treatment room.

Mrs Mcgill would like to sell the salon as a going concern, including its various pieces of equipment and fittings. Leases on the premises for two, three or five years are on offer from the landlord.

She is willing to stay on for the future owner as a massage therapist until Cup Match. If no buyer is found by the beginning of August, the salon will begin closing down.

Mrs Mcgill specialises in waxing and deep tissue massage. Many of her clients are sportspeople. One of her colleagues, Ella Gerassimova, is a beauty therapist.

Northern Rose Salon can be contacted by phone on 296-2657, or e-mail at northernrose@tbinet.bm