A former AstraZeneca employee has swapped pharmaceuticals for fashion.

Style Studio & Boutique is now open at Mint Beauty & Hair on Gunco Lane.

It marks a huge change of pace for Joanne Millward, who previously spent 36 years working in HR.

The 58-year-old said: "I am loving my new freedom!

"Every day is totally joyful when I am in the boutique.

"I am already building a loyal group of ladies who are excited when new stock arrives and the pleasure it gives me to help them feel glamorous and gorgeous is just incredible."

After leaving AstraZeneca in 2024, Bollington-born Joanne retrained as a personal stylist with the London College of Style.

She said: "When I left AstraZeneca, I knew I didn't want to continue working in the corporate world, after 36 years in HR I had officially had enough.

"However, I didn't feel ready to fully retire, so I decided to do what I love most - shop!

"I have always loved clothes and fashion. My husband and I watch TV and he can tell you the age and make of any motorbike, whereas I can tell you where to buy the leading lady's outfit!"

Joanne started out with personal shopping, wardrobe edits and style and shape analysis.

This has evolved over the last 18 months and in April, she opened Jo Millward Style Studio & Boutique.

"I wanted to curate a range of clothes which are good quality, super fabrics and on trend for my age group of ladies - we want to be on trend but we don't want to look like our daughters," Joanne said.

"I often think we aren't well catered for on the high street, we are a generation of women that has had the privilege of popping into our local shops, trying on and receiving a personal service and this is my mission in the little boutique.

"I love accessories and stock a wide range, I encourage my customers to style their clothes not just wear them - a well-placed necklace or bangle can make such a difference to an outfit."

She continued: "I strive to give my customers confidence in the items they choose and I want all of my customers to love what they buy from me.

"I often say to them 'Do you love it? Because if you don't love it in the shop with the tag on, you're not going to love it when you get home'.

"I also discuss with my customers how they can style any item and what else they already have in their wardrobe that they could wear it with.

"I pride myself on great service and honest and kind advice. I want all my customers to feel totally fabulous!"

Style Studio & Boutique is open Wednesday through Friday, with Joanne offering personal shopping and wardrobe edits.

It's far from a one-woman team, however, with daughter Katie handling social media, best friend Andrea heading up sales at pop-up events, sister Jullie serving as assistant buyer and husband Pete on hand for any odd jobs.

Joanne added: "I've been open since late April and it's going well, I have a natural footfall of ladies coming to get their hair and nails done, I have so many gorgeous friends too who have supported my new venture and the team at Mint are wonderfully supportive."

Autumn and winter stock will be arriving in the coming weeks.

Joanne will then be heading to trade fairs in London and Harrogate to find more stock and build on her existing brands of Chalk, Betty Basics, Aspiga and Sophia Alexia.

Asked what the future holds, Joanne said: "Who knows! I'm happy to see where this new adventure takes me!"