A "failing" Sidcup salon will open its doors to the British public tonight, as straight-talking Mary Portas criticises an "over-controlling boss and under-performing staff".

The Secret Shopper TV show will expose tensions between staff and owner Shobie Lee.

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She told News Shopper that six key people have left the team since filming.

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Some of the original staff members. Picture: Channel 4

Mrs Lee now employs 17 people at Shobie & Co in Nisbett Walk and, despite being labelled an "ogre" on the show, will run the business without a manager for the next two years.

The 56-year-old said: "It's not what I wanted. I would have rather they had stayed and we had turned the business around together.

"I wanted us to go back to the same 5* salon we had always been, and not the 3* salon we had become.

"I didn't want to undermine anyone, but maybe it was a bit late in the day to fix it.

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"It's a shame. I did lose customers but I am seeing a lot of them returning. We have got a lovely team."

The grandma-of-four was especially unhappy about swearing amongst staff, which was filmed on camera.

Mrs Lee added: "No publicity is bad publicity, but it's not something I wanted.

"I am going to be exposed as a failing business, and in fact we are not. I have a successful business."

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Shobie and the Queen of Shops pretend to fight it out

However, she is grateful for Mary’s help, adding: "What she had done for us is fantastic.

"Now our salon is making more money, I am happy."

Mary Portas Secret Shopper is on Channel 4 at 8pm tonight.