Why the salon you choose today matters to the hairdressers of tomorrow.

There’s been a lot of difficult news surrounding the British hairdressing industry lately.

Salon closures. Rising costs. Declining apprenticeship opportunities. Increasing pressure on businesses to move away from traditional employment.

With the Autumn Budget approaching, the future of our industry is firmly in the spotlight.

But amongst the headlines, there’s another story worth telling.

The story of salons that are still employing, training, investing and creating opportunities for the next generation.

At Barrie Stephen Hair, that’s exactly what we’re determined to keep doing. And when you choose to visit us, you’re helping us do it.

THE INDUSTRY IS FACING A VERY REAL CHALLENGE

Hairdressing is an industry built on people, but the rising costs of employing, training and supporting those people are putting enormous pressure on salons.

The National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) has been campaigning for greater government support, including a reduction in VAT for labour-intensive personal care services, to help protect businesses and employment opportunities.

Because when salons can no longer afford to employ and train, it’s not just businesses that suffer.

It’s the next generation of hairdressers, and ultimately, the future of the services you enjoy today.

30 YEARS OF BELIEVING IN EMPLOYMENT

For 30 years, Barrie Stephen Hair has operated an employed salon model, and we’re incredibly proud of what that means for our people.

Our stylists aren’t renting chairs or running independent businesses under our roof. They’re part of a team, with access to workplace benefits, continued education, career development and the support of an established salon group.

We support maternity and paternity leave, look after client relationships while stylists are away and help them return to careers they’ve worked hard to build.

We also invest in marketing, professional content and the infrastructure needed to keep our stylists busy.

We don’t just provide the chair. We invest in the career that happens behind it.

And for our clients, that means experienced, supported professionals who can concentrate on delivering exceptional hairdressing.

OUR NEXT GENERATION STILL HAS A HOME

One of the biggest concerns facing our industry is the decline in opportunities for young people entering hairdressing.

Where do apprentices learn? Where do graduates build their confidence? And who will become the experienced stylists of tomorrow if fewer salons can afford to train them?

At Barrie Stephen Hair, we continue to welcome apprentices, graduates and work-experience students.

Our New Wave initiative at King Street is one example, giving newly qualified stylists the opportunity to develop their skills, build their diaries and establish careers within a supportive salon environment.

Because talent needs somewhere to go.

And when you book with our emerging stylists, you’re not simply having your hair done. You’re playing a part in their future.

OPPORTUNITIES DON’T STOP WHEN YOU QUALIFY

Investing in our team doesn’t end when they become qualified hairdressers.

Recently, two of our graduates and one of our experienced stylists travelled to Italy with Passion4Hair for education at the Sens.ùs headquarters.

Our teams also benefit from training with professional brands such as Paul Mitchell, alongside opportunities to attend industry events, participate in fashion shoots, support charities and travel across the UK and abroad.

Different stages of their careers. The same opportunity to keep learning.

And everything they learn comes back into our salons, benefiting the clients who sit in their chairs.

WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH YOUR HAIR APPOINTMENT?

Actually, quite a lot.

Every appointment at Barrie Stephen Hair supports a business that continues to employ its people, invest in professional education and create opportunities for young talent.

It helps us provide workplace security, support parents returning to their careers and give our stylists the tools and opportunities they need to thrive.

It also means your hair is being cared for by professionals who are continually developing their skills, learning new techniques and working with leading industry brands.

Your appointment is more than a service. It’s part of what makes all of this possible.

THE FUTURE IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR

We recognise that different salon models work for different people, and we don’t pretend that maintaining an employed salon model is easy.

But we believe there’s enormous value in protecting businesses that choose to employ, train and develop their teams.

As the Autumn Budget approaches, we hope the Government recognises the importance of supporting salons that continue to provide these opportunities.

Because the future of hairdressing begins with the apprentice looking for their first opportunity, the graduate building their confidence, the parent returning to work and the experienced stylist who still wants to learn something new.

These are the people we’re investing in today. And they’re the future of the industry tomorrow.

Thirty years in, Barrie Stephen Hair is still looking forward.

And to every client who continues to choose our salons:

Thank you for supporting the people behind the chair.

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