More Than Nails: Building Safe Spaces and Self-Expression in Blackpool. Discussions with Chloe Nicole

One of Abingdon Street Market’s newest vendors, bringing something new to the self-care/health and beauty scene is Chloe. Chloe opened her own nail spot inside the century old building in 2025 and has rapidly become a hotspot for those nail fix-ups, fresh sets and therapeutic self-care moments everyone needs once in a while.

Despite the rise of mental health problems and the cost of living crisis in Blackpool Chloe has decided to go against the grain and show just why businesses like hers are more important than ever in a climate like today's.

“I’ve always been an artistic person, I always knew that being in a creative field was what I wanted to do and to be within a creative space surrounded by creative people, I specialise more in expressive artwork on my clients as the demographic for my space is those that want to express themselves through things like their nails, hair etc. I think I just knew I wanted a space that was colourful (both metaphorically and literally) and inclusive for everyone”

Blackpool has always been a staple location for diversity and inclusivity, from the drag queen legends to the comedy and theatre icons the town has never been short of straying off the beaten track when it comes to showing something “a little different”, Blackpool has become a hub for not only several subcultures but has seen a rapid growth in the LGBTQ+ community as well as a hive of inclusive spaces for neurodivergent crowds that want somewhere to feel safe; “I think diversifying the retail space is something I found really important, I knew going into it I didn't want to create a space for specific demographics, I just wanted to make a space for anyone and everyone, I wanted the customer/client to always know the space was safe and made to suit them no matter who they are”.

It’s blatantly obvious that people are changing the narrative by moving away from traditional 9-5 desk jobs and pursuing passion projects or owning their own business, with the rise of social media platforms and business tools becoming so accessible it's now easier than ever to begin that journey.

“I wasn't built for the quote-on-quote desk job life, which is ironic you may think because I do in fact sit at a desk all day now, my family heavily influenced my interest in beauty and creative topics, my grandad was artistic and taught me plenty of things growing up, my mum was also always interested in all things health and beauty, I think over time it just gradually became part of who I am.”

“This path was a hobby before it was a career which means I always satisfied, because my drive for it isn't purely business related, I genuinely wake up excited to do what I do and enjoy doing it everyday,

As previous interviews throughout this campaign have mentioned there are hundreds of nooks within Blackpool, playing host to subcultures, communities and more, every corner, street, house and building contains a huge mixing pot of different people that make up Blackpool’s truly unique DNA.

“When I look at Blackpool the first thing I notice is how there’s something for everyone and I think what’s nice is rapidly we’re seeing new businesses pop-up here and there that cater towards everyone, I like how everyone has a place, everyone finds something or somewhere to belong”

Getting into the health and beauty industry is a hard enough task let alone doing it on your own at a young age, Chloe was really proud to share how resilient she was to create this position for herself and how those people around her impacted opportunities that otherwise wouldn't have presented themselves.

“I took a huge leap, at a young age (I was 17) I went straight to hiring a chair from a lady called Gemma in St. Annes, Gemma was really important to my career, she gave me a leg-up into the industry and a foot-in-the-door. Most studios wouldn't let you hire a chair without a client base and I at-the-time didn't have a client base as I had only done friends and family, so to give me that space and opportunity was really important to me, I do think that it's a harder industry to get into than most people expect, I was lucky because Gemma would take time to teach me about the business side of things and how to set policies etc.”

“I found in St.Annes I was somewhat unsatisfied, I wanted fresh clients and St. Annes doesn't have that demographic, I wanted to work in a place like Afflecks Palace, a place that my demographic/client base would want to travel too and Abingdon Street Market was that place, it has everything I want, it’s been great as a starting business as there’s support every which way you look from neighbours and clients”

Throughout chatting there was a common theme from Chloe about how much a safe space meant to her not only as a business owner but also as someone that has struggled with mental health and anxiety.

“I’m proud that this is a good space for people, I offer silent appointments for people who are anxious and have sensory needs I always take time to make sure the clients come first, I struggled with mental health for a long time and Blackpool has always been somewhere that has a number of people that also struggle, I think that’s important, that we recognise that and create these spaces and opportunities for those in that position or mindset”

Nails by Chloe Nicole is located inside Abingdon Street Market, Blackpool and is open Wednesday - Saturday, you can book your own appointment using their social media channels: https://www.instagram.com/nailsbychloenicole_/