Q-Tan Luxury Tanning Salon set to expand in Bishop Auckland

Andrew Smith, 44, and Lyn Robinson Smith, 39, own Q-TAN Luxury Tanning Salon and Queenie’s Casino Slots in Crook.

Q-TAN was set up in 2010 as part of a family business that has operated on South Street since 1972.

Andrew Smith, 44, and Lyn Robinson Smith, 39, own Q-TAN Luxury Tanning Salon and Queenie’s Casino Slots in Crook (Image: Q-TAN)

The Smith family business has evolved over the decades from amusements to a bingo hall, café and sweet shop.

Today, 85 per cent of the building is the tanning salon and the remaining 15 per cent operates as an arcade and casino, although the two run separately.

Andrew with his two children, celebrating Q-TAN’s 15th anniversary in December (Image: Q-TAN)

Andrew’s father, Colin Smith, was a travelling showman who eventually settled in Crook. He first set up a bingo hall on the town’s recreation ground before moving into the South Street premises, establishing ‘Queenie’s’, named after Colin’s wife, a bingo hall, café and sweet shop.

Queenie’s on South Street when it was first opened by Colin Smith in the 1970s (Image: Q-TAN)

Queenie’s Casino Slots and Q-TAN remain in the same family business premises and are now run solely by Andrew following the loss of his sister.

Andrew said: “For all we know we are one of the only family businesses in the town that have been running for more than 50 years. A lot have come and gone in the town now – there are about three of us left.”

Queenie’s Casino Slots and Q-TAN on South Street (Image: Q-TAN)

The couple are now preparing to open a second salon at Parkhead Garage in New Coundon, Bishop Auckland, next to MJM Car Sales and opposite The Top House Pub.

The salon is expected to open in late April if plans proceed as scheduled, although an exact date has not yet been confirmed.

Lyn said: “We have been looking for a while, as we knew it was the next step for us and we have had a desire for it from our customers. So we started looking for the right space and place that will work for this business.

“We wanted to stay in the County Durham area and when we saw this new place we knew it was perfect with its own car park just off a busy road and it is the right size and shape for what we need.”

Q-TAN in Crook is set to expand into Bishop Auckland with its second salon (Image: Q-TAN)

Speaking on what to expect of the new salon, Lyn added: “Salon number two will follow along the lines of our Crook salon, raising the standard again. It will have nine tanning cabins with the best beds you can get on the market, all factory new.

“We were the first salon in the world to operate Elements, Ergoline’s first LED sunbed and we will be bringing these to the salon as well as offering an ultra premium experience- clean, friendly and consistent.”

Ergoline Elements FULL L.E.D sunbeds, two of these will be installed at Coundon (Image: Q-TAN)

The tanning salon is a member of the sunbed association and promotes responsible tanning.

About £650,000 has been invested in the new site, which is currently undergoing a full renovation ahead of its April opening and is set to be totally transformed.

The expansion is also expected to create seven new jobs, with a mix of full-time and part-time roles available.

The owners said this is because they are “a local family business supporting local people.”

They added: “We are focused on making it a modern, high standard, clean and welcoming environment for all. You can come as you are as we are a salon for absolutely everyone.”