A Glastonbury tanning studio has reached the South West regional final of the England Business Awards just four months after opening its doors. Lux Tanning Studio, based on Beckery Road, will now be represented at the Bristol 2026 final on Sunday, 4 October.

Owner Gitana Kopanceva, 29, received confirmation this month that the business had progressed to the regional final. Public voting remains open ahead of the ceremony, giving customers and supporters the chance to back the Glastonbury salon.

Votes can be cast through the England Business Awards voting page, where supporters can search for the business and submit their vote.

For Gitana, the recognition has come remarkably quickly. Lux Tanning Studio has only been trading for around four months, making the finalist place one of the first major milestones for the new business.

"It means more to me because of my family," she said.

Gitana said friends and relatives had "put their hearts into everything" while helping her get the salon established, from finding premises and arranging finance to tackling the practical work involved in getting the doors open.

Since opening Gitana has focused on building Lux Tanning Studio around personal service, skincare and a welcoming atmosphere. Staff take time to discuss clients' skin types, tanning experience and goals before talking them through the beds and products available, while the salon currently has five sunbeds with longer-term plans to expand to eight, add a spray-tanning booth and make room for complementary beauty services.

"We want clients to be more than customers," she said.

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The England Business Awards finalist place now gives the young Glastonbury business another reason to celebrate. Gitana's two daughters are among those particularly excited about the recognition, while she says the nomination feels like recognition for everyone who helped turn the idea into a working salon.

The specific award category has not been confirmed in the information supplied to Nub News, but Lux Tanning Studio has been confirmed as a South West regional finalist.

The awards ceremony will take place in Bristol at 7 pm on Sunday, 4 October. Supporters can vote for Lux Tanning Studio here.

Whatever happens on the night, reaching a regional final just four months after opening has already given Gitana, her family and the fledgling business an early milestone to enjoy.

You can also follow Lux Tanning Studio on Facebook and Instagram for updates from the salon.

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