A FORMER railway station which has been boarded up for three years is set to be given a new lease of life...as a hair and beauty salon.

The Grade II listed Mistley railway station was built in 1854 for the Eastern Union Railway.

After sitting vacant, it was turned into an art gallery in 2007, but after this closed it was again boarded up and sat unused until interior consultant Glynne Gerrard snapped it up.

Glynne and his partner Jess Wilson, who runs the Shed salon in Lawford, are set to renovate the building.

He said The Shed was booked for weeks in advance so Jess needed bigger premises to expand the business.

Glynne added: “I looked at the station two and a half years ago, but it wasn’t the right time. It came up again after someone pulled out and we decided to go for it.”

Tendring Council has granted listed building consent for alterations on the historic building. The couple want to install new doors and windows to the existing arches, enlarge and opening to and make an access to the toilet.

“The alterations we are doing to the station are minimal, it’s just bringing it back to life,” Glynne, 49, added.

“It’s not going to be the typical hair salon all pink and frilly, we are keeping it simple with the character of the building.”

The salon will change its name to The Station and as well as doing hair, it will have two beauty treatment rooms upstairs.

Work on the revamp will begin soon with the new salon opening in time for Christmas.

Also fitted into the current layout of the building will be a hair wash room, a waiting room, staff room and office as well as an area for hairdressing and beauty training.

Glynne said the salon will also be increasing its staff, going from two stylists to six.

To contact The Shed about the job opportunities visit theshedhairandbeauty.co.uk.