Staffordshire Living went to visit the open day at the new UK HQ of Glitterbel’s in Watlands View, Newcastle-under-Lyme, on Saturday. The transformation of this former Methodist church in Wolstanton into a spectacular nail brand headquarters is nothing short of breathtaking.
In just eight years, Annabel and Elliott Maginnis have transformed a humble kitchen-table enterprise into this dazzling new flagship location. The £500,000, two-year renovation has created what can only be described as the most perfect and pink headquarters, salon and training school that has ever been seen.
Walking through the doors of this pink paradise during Saturday’s open day was like stepping into a dream world where sophistication meets sparkle. Cherubs, Bali-inspired décor, fluffy clouds and unicorns adorn the space, creating an atmosphere that’s both magical and luxurious. The architectural integrity of the historic church remains, but now radiates with Glitterbels’ signature style.
“I started doing nails before I had the brand, I’d asked my nail tech to teach me and then I’d do client’s nails from my mum’s kitchen,” explains Annabel. “I started Glitterbels in 2018 when Elliott encouraged me to go for it, because I was a bit apprehensive, but he pushed me and we just balance each other out.”
What makes this success story particularly compelling is the speed of their ascent. Trained by industry legend Kirsty Meakin (who boasts more than one million followers), Annabel has taken her creative vision to extraordinary heights. The soaring ceilings now feature hand-painted clouds—an idea that came to Annabel while daydreaming before bed— pink tiled flooring, and a centrepiece life-sized Unicorn stands in the training room to create an ambience of grandeur.
The attention to detail throughout is remarkable. “We took ‘extra’ to a whole new level,” Annabel laughs. “We were looking at hotels, spas and luxury homes for inspiration.” The result is a space where every corner reveals something special—from murals by artist Rachel Sarah featuring cherubs, Green flower walls, Gold arches and Fluffy ceiling clouds across every room and the walls and ceilings of this beautiful building.
Annabel shares. “We wanted to keep the unicorns from our last place and maintain a heavenly vibe as homage, because it was an old church.”
The facility isn’t just about aesthetics—education forms the heart of Glitterbels’ mission. The training school occupies a substantial portion of the building, highlighting the company’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of nail technicians. Elliott explains, “We’ve offered our training spaces free of charge to colleges nationally. We want to pass on Annabel’s passion, tips and tricks through high-quality training.”
With 17,000 students already trained internationally, the Maginnises are focused on expanding their educational reach. “There’s a big long table in one of the training rooms and interior windows, so people can watch things in action whilst training,” Elliott explains. This commitment to transparency extends throughout the business model. This can be used as a training space or for conferences and events, as they also have a state-of-the-art bespoke kitchen facility, giving the couple even more options to expand in the future. There is also a licensed bar in the nail salon to enhance the salon experience.
The venue also features a retail area where visitors can purchase products and apparel, complete with a birdcage changing room for product testing. A bespoke drinks cart offering matcha and cocktails enhances the experience, making nail appointments feel more like a luxurious spa day.
If unicorns were real, they would indeed gallop straight to this pink palace. Glitterbels’ new headquarters isn’t just a place of business—it’s a physical manifestation of a modern entrepreneurial fairy tale, where passion, determination and a sprinkling of glitter have transformed the humblest beginnings into something truly spectacular.
This isn’t just a nail company; it’s a phenomenon. And its new home is the perfect crown for a brand that continues to sparkle ever brighter. To find out more about making an appointment or booking a training course or buying products for Glitterbel’s nail technicians, go to the website on
https://glitterbels.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqkjGpC0JcFhvotR1JwuNRd1V08aAodLb3_5cHD-9Tx528KbQV
Glitterbels, Lower Street, Newcastle under Lyme, ST52RH
Please note our help team works between
Monday to Friday – 08:30 – 17:30.
We are closed on weekends and Bank Holidays
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