TAKING advantage of what must be one of the world's most spectacular settings for a beauty salon, clients are flocking to the Newstead Hotel where Ann Proctor operates the Inverurie Salon. Bucking the negative trend that currently seems to be affecting so many local businesses, the Inverurie has a happier story to tell: in order to cope with ever-increasing demands for services, the harbourside premises have recently been expanded and upgraded.

While the Inverurie caters to the hotel's visitors, most of the salon's clientele are local: "The Paget location is very popular, especially for people who are not working in town," explained Mrs. Proctor.

"It's centrally located with plenty of parking space, but I am convinced that it is the setting, overlooking the harbour, and the layout of the salon that makes it so attractive.

"Where else in the world," she asked, "could you sit and have your hair done with the doors wide open to grounds that are massed with flowers and looking out over this million-dollar water view?

"People seem to love coming here, especially as they can order lunch from the Rockfish Grill which is then delivered to them here in the salon, and a lot of people make quite a day of it - having their hair done and then going off to lunch in the hotel."

Ann Proctor, who is also well known for her watercolour paintings of Bermuda's plants and flowers, is well aware that key to the success of a services business is the quality of staff employed.

Mrs. Proctor, who has operated the Inverurie (originally in the former Harbour Road hotel of that name) for over 15 years and co-owns the business with Timothy Proctor, is proud of the fact that Sylvia Darrell has remained with her all of that time. One of Bermuda's most popular hairdressers, Sylvia commands a large and faithful following: "I have been in this business all my life - I started about 36 years ago, and still enjoy it.

" I must say that the salon here at Newstead is beautiful and a very pleasant place in which to work."

With the salon now twice its original size, Mrs. Proctor's three stylists will be joined by a fourth next week. Even so, she told the Mid-Ocean News this week, early advance bookings are essential.

Another popular stylist is Austrian-born Ernst Dangl who, after more than 30 years on the island - the last three with the Inverurie - is in constant demand by local residents.

He's an expert in cutting, styling, tinting and perming, and there can be no doubt that clients also enjoy his wry and observant humour.

In July, precision cutter and colour specialist Karen Urwin, who came to Bermuda in 1990, joined the team and has brought an entirely new clientele to the business: "I have clients aged from nought to over 100 - one of my clients will be 101 next month," she told the Mid-Ocean News."

ASKED what she liked most about her career, the British stylist responded: "It's definitely the people and social aspect of the work that I like best. I'm also very interested in the marketing and promotional aspect of my job. I do love the creativity of my work as well, of course, and the fact that my clients trust me and have confidence in what I am doing!

"I have a very loyal clientele. But," she added, "I could always do with a few more!"

Robin Eyedon, who joins the staff next week, specialises in weddings and will bring yet another important tie-in to Newstead as a whole.

One of Bermuda's most popular wedding locations, the salon has joined forces with the luxurious Bellissima poolside spa in providing all the necessary beauty services for the big day.

The Newstead Hotel, which has maintained a steady level of occupancy throughout the winter months, is well prepared for the summer season.

There will be new lunch and dinner menus at the Rockfish Grill and Bermudians will be pleased to know that the hotel's 'Happy Hour', which drew hundreds of people every Friday evening throughout last summer, begins again on May 3.

The Inverurie Beauty Salon at Newstead on Harbour Road, Paget, is open seven days a week, telephone 236-3378 for appointments.