A BEAUTY salon is hoping other businesses will follow its lead in ditching gossip magazines in the wake of the death of Caroline Flack.

Bliss Hair, Nails and Beauty, in Colchester, has joined a wave of salons nationally in binning its selection of glossy magazines.

The owners say some magazines “do nothing” to promote positive mental wellbeing and instead revel in shaming celebrities.

The salon will now only supply magazines covering other topics such as hobbies, fashion, hair inspiration, health and wellbeing.

The move away from stocking so-called gossip magazines was inspired by the high-profile death of former Love Island presenter Caroline Flack.

The star, 40, was awaiting trial for an alleged assault when she took her own life.

Sections of the national press have been criticised for their intense scrutiny of the presenter’s personal life in the lead up to the trial.

Wendy Pancherz, who owns Bliss, says some magazines have been getting away with poor behaviour for years.

“We will not be promoting these magazines,” she said.

“These are magazines that slate people, advertise people’s personal problems, disrespect outfits that people wear, their hairstyles, their lives in general and the list goes on and on.”

Wendy said Caroline Flack’s death and the “overwhelmingly positive” reaction to her decision to ditch the magazines made her wish she had taken the step sooner.

She says she has heard of many salons following suit across the world and hopes their actions could prove to be a wake-up call.

“A lot of younger girls really looked up to her,” she said.

“There was shock when Caroline died. They didn’t expect it from someone like that because from what small part of her life you see on TV, she seems to have the world at her feet.”

But some salon owners in Harwich and Manningtree say they have never stocked gossip magazines.

Glynne Gerrard, who runs The Station Hair and Beauty in Mistley, said: “We have had this in place since opening two years ago.

“We provide books and magazines that are positive and promote wellbeing.”

Gemma Deex, who owns Hair SHAC By The Pier, said: “I have never brought any magazines, we have a few that clients have left if they require a read, but 99per cent enjoy the chilled vibe of the salon.”

Zoe Martin, from Sunkissed in Main Road, Dovercourt, said: “We don’t stock gossip magazines.

“We offer Good Salon Guide magazines to our clients and a customer service where most of the time a magazine is not required.”