Old Harlow beauty salon owner makes desperate plea to save her business
Business / Mon 30th Mar 2026 at 08:19am
AN OLD Harlow beauty salon owner has made a desperate plea to help save her business as she faces a number of financial challenges.
Sarah Aherne is the owner of Shwe Beauty and Tanning Salon in the High Street, Old Harlow.
Sarah said she needs to raise an initial £16,000 in order to keep their doors open.
Sarah said: “Like many small businesses, rising costs have put us under increasing pressure.
“Since the pandemic, when we were forced to close for months, we’ve not had a chance to catch our breath.
With the increase in wages, the rise in National Insurance, and the ongoing strain of VAT, these costs have now caught up with us.
“We are now facing a bill we need to pay to keep the salon open, and I’ve explored every option I can think of before getting to this point”.
The extent of Sarah’s financial challenges can be seen on companies house.
In February 2024, Sarah’s company entered into a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA). A CVA is a legally binding agreement between an insolvent or near-insolvent company and its creditors to restructure debts, often to avoid liquidation.
Shwe Tan’s CVA required them to pay £1000 for four months followed by £1500 for the next 56 months.
On Friday, the CVA’s supervisor published a progress report.
It looks like an uphill battle as the report states that Shwe face a “total deficiency to creditors”, i.e: the amount of money still owed to creditors after all available assets have been used up of over £157,000.
However, the community have certainly rallied around Sarah with customers, friends and people who have been touched by her plight, contributing to the Go Fund Me page.
By Sunday evening, over £10,000 had been given.
Sarah concludes: “If you’re in a position to support us, any donation, big or small, really does make a difference.
Every bit of support right now helps us keep going.
“Donate on our go fund me page here: https://gofund.me/19b41c042 “
YH understands that Sarah Aherne has held talks with Harlow MP Chris Vince as well as council leader Dan Swords.
David Forman
2026-03-30 09:13:35
The link to the Supervisor's report is broken, a report which I would strongly encourage anyone thinking of donating money to read. Here it is: https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/07283736/filing-history/MzUxMTY5OTM1MmFkaXF6a2N4/document?format=pdf&download=0
Adam
2026-03-30 09:15:19
That is a hard watch, and governments should be ashamed. Such a shame to see governments doing this, driving businesses into the ground and killing aspiration but hey that is both the conservatives and labour. That said it is a limited business and the directors should let it go to bankruptcy. Reading the CVA report and company reports it is likely to fail (several times breaks have had to be given or defaults issued) and friends and family contributing to go fund me are wasting their money, the end is baked in, it is not a viable business thanks to government action. As long as she has given no directors guarantees she should be able to walk away and restart, this is why limited businesses are good, it sucks to be in this position and as a fellow business owner I really feel for her but a key thing is knowing when to walk away. Best of luck to her and remember government are responsible.
Sceptical
2026-03-30 09:23:10
Everyone is rallying around to pay her debts? She was advertising for another full time member of staff two weeks before setting up the go fund me, how is she going to pay their wages? Surely she went through her accounts to check if she could afford another member of staff before advertising? The prices in the salon are definitely on the heavier side but as a local resident, I’ve gone elsewhere to more affordable, busier salons with more experienced staff and they seem to be doing fine. She hadn’t even tried to increase sales, do offers or anything before setting up the go fund me and to be honest, there still isn’t any offers worth mentioning. I wonder if Sarah and her boyfriend Zac as the two directors are taking hefty salaries and running the salon with no financial literacy? Also, the date that her “very big bill” (on her begging videos on socials) keeps moving. Initially they had 7 days, no further extensions. Then it was extended to the 31st so that people that couldn’t donate before payday, can now do so?! I wonder if the very big bill is her tax bill? Either way, I won’t be donating as no one is paying my debts and I’m happy to say that I’m managing them and don’t require a Go fund me page. But also, as I think she’ll either be back soon begging again, or, she’s just going to take the donations and run.
Mari
2026-03-30 09:59:28
If you can't run successful business close it- its meansthat you are not good at that specially she didnt recover from Covid time- 6 years. Im wonder if and when she will earn money again will se pay it back to the people????? I think it is not really fair to get money from ppl but it they willing to give her- cool
Mr George
2026-03-30 11:42:05
It's hard running a small business but it's always been this way. Have to be a very smart, flexible and hard working person. But, put it back to basics - if you don't supply what people want then you will go under. Cost of living and people making cuts to salon visits, hikes in fuel etc of course are going to have a negative impact but sadly this is the way for many retailers, now and throughout history.
Hunter
2026-03-30 11:45:30
Its upsetting to hear about this salon having to close and I do feel for the owner, but not once did I hear the words please or thank you,so that's put me off contributing.
Adam
2026-03-30 11:54:31
Mr George it does not have to be that way government is a large contributor with high taxation and duties and regulations. people / companies need to give less to the government so they have more to spend in the economy. Greedy government is what is causing this. oddly when this happen income to the government goes up as well.
Seamus
2026-03-30 14:35:01
If you knew you were in trouble and then went down the CVA route, then this figure would have been agreed by both sides. Why would you agree a legally binding repayment plan that you could not afford? If you are running a business run on go fund me donations, then it's probably not a viable business surely? The deeper you go in debt, the more chances will be that you take other business's down too due to the money you owe them too.
Mr T
2026-03-30 15:50:50
It's a hard watch i hope she can turn it round.
Amanda
2026-03-30 18:43:19
Sarah as worked very hard to keep this salon going and so has her staff. She does not want to close her doors without asking for help and thats nothing to be ashamed off, she is a very polite lady and she is very grateful and I assure you she has said please and thank you for every donation she has had. And Sarah is not the type of person to just take the donations and run, she cares about her staff and her business that she has built over the years and also her clients all she is trying to do is save it, other people have done far worse. I say good luck to her and her staff. Its a fantastic salon and the most amazing staff that run it I wish u all the best.
Adam
2026-03-30 21:51:37
Amanda, I do not think anyone is questioning her disappearing with the money, it is clear from the video she loves the business. However, in the cold light of day the business is not viable it has not been for a long time looking at companies house (always has negative share holder funds and reserves) the CVA and owing the HRMC >120K is the final nail. Struggling to repay £1500 a month while having 19 staff (2025, filing) shows the business is just not viable. £1500 is a small amount for a company to find each month if viable. The issue is those making donations are postponing the inevitable, sadly emotions are getting involved with what should be a simple business decision.
Pete
2026-03-31 08:43:47
Blaiming the government is not right at all. They have came into power with massive dept,zero growth,still dealing with tory austerity issues, post office and blood scandal issues,ect ect, The problem is there is no money to pay for the services to run the country anymore,, Every time they try and raise money people from the press start moaning., Who is going to pay our bills,. Inflation is the killer,plus the fact we are no longer a country of producers.. Unfortunately rents and rates are a fact of life, also people since covid go out less , hence the ladies spend less on beauty..I hope things improve for the young lady, and her bussiness.
Mr George
2026-03-31 12:41:19
Adam, there are companies out there who adapt well to survive and other companies who are selling what people want and they still pay the same rates and taxes. The cost of living has risen through war in Ukraine (and now Iran), supply issues, inflation.. and going to a beauty salon isn't a necessity when households are faced with rising fuel and food bills. The UK economy is about 50% reliant on us buying things (thanks Thatcher, that was your doing) and every time the UK citizens struggle, such is in recessions, they stop spending and companies selling luxury will struggle or close down. I am not saying it is fair or right when someone's much loved business goes down, but things like wars mucking up oil prices and supply is not always the fault of governments and still need taxes still to pay for the NHS, housing, schools....
Eddie
2026-03-31 18:32:26
Pete. If the goverment stopped blowing money on the wrong things, (which i cannot say,). Then perhaps they could reduce taxes.
Eddie
2026-03-31 18:35:28
Also Pete. People go out less because the greedy goverment tax fuel and alcohol to the hilt
Alan Wright
2026-04-01 19:55:02
That's what happens when you take to much cash out, how would you have the nerve to set up a go fund me page, give up your already in Voluntary administration, so your already in dept, give it up and get a job, love to see your tax returns 🤔
Mr T.
2026-04-02 16:16:29
Alan that's un called for mate.
Amanda
2026-04-02 17:43:10
Adam yes people were saying about her taking the money, she is only trying to do what any other business owner would if they cared about there business you would do everything you can to save it, and I congratulate her Sarah did save it and well done to her and her staff and everyone that helped them. Ill be seeing you girls soon.
Gavin
2026-04-02 17:58:36
Begging people to pay for your VAT bill when you don’t even pay your staff their full wages on time. You say your “team” you don’t treat them fairly, just above minimum wage, no commission and are expected to take their wages in instalments. Think it’s about time you admit defeat and close the salon. It’s not making enough money to survive.
Alan Wright
2026-04-06 11:04:03
Mr T, that's the truth of the matter let's be honest, she has gone into a legally binding IVA, which she cannot afford to repay, she's already over £100k in debt, don't take a lot of working out, not rocket science
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