STAFF at a Taunton hair salon are celebrating after being shortlisted for the Somerset Business Awards.

Yummy Mummy Hair and Beauty, which is based on Station Road, has been shortlisted for the service excellence award which recognises companies which provide a level of service ‘over and above normal industry expectations.’

Kerry Smith, owner of Yummy Mummy Hair and Beauty said her staff was ‘shocked’ when they discovered the business had been shortlisted for the award as she had not told them that she applied.

She said: “It was definitely a surprise, it is absolutely amazing.

“In June we made it to the top three finalists in the customer excellence category of the Taunton Deane Business Awards and I thought it was worth putting in application.

“I didn’t tell my staff that I applied for the Somerset Business Awards as I didn’t think we would get through.

“All of the staff were so shocked and excited when I told them that we had been shortlisted. It is amazing.”

Kerry said judges will be visiting the salon later this week and she thinks her business has a good chance of making it to the final.

“Everyone here is really hardworking and we do provide fantastic customer service,” Kerry said.

“We have a play area for children in the salon and are open to families, I don’t know of any other salons in the area that have that.

“I think we stand a great chance for the awards and I am looking forward to the future.”