Sheppey hair salon is relaunched by MP

20th February 2018
Sheppey hair salon is relaunched by Gordon Henderson MP

Elaine Price the new owner of a long established hairdressing salon in Sheppey has completed a major refurbishment of the business. Gordon Henderson MP visited the business to meet the team and to mark the investment.

Elaine trained as a hairdresser at the London College of Fashion and qualified as an instructor. She ran a successful salon in Rochester in the 80s but left the industry so that she could spend more time with her children as they grew up. She took a part time maternity leave cover at Swale Borough Council as a Sports Development Officer and ended up staying for 13 years.

Soon after being made redundant she was on holiday laying on a beach and came up with the idea of restarting her hairdressing career but offering a fixed price for everything under the tagline ‘Love yourself for less’.

Elaine said: “The hairdressing business is so competitive these days that you need something to make you stand out from the crowd. The idea of having standard low prices for each service seemed a sensible way of getting back into the industry.”

Initially Elaine worked from a small salon in her garden but as the business flourished she moved to various premises in the local area. However she had always wanted a salon in Sheppey and had for years driven past the long established Elizabeth Jane Hair Salon in Halfway Road hoping that one day it would be available.

Her dreams came true in 2017 when Doreen Payne who had run the business for 57 years decided to retire and with finance from Barclays Elaine was able to buy the property and rename it Hers and Sirs.

Elaine has undertaken a complete re design and refurbishment of the property replacing the windows, floors, chairs, mirrors and air conditioning and redecorating throughout.

Elaine said: “I am really happy with the way the refurbishments have turned out. Some of my clients have been coming to the salon for 60 years and I have been getting really good comments about the improvements. I want to be at the heart of the community and we always have a laugh with customers. I have even installed a Karaoke machine so that customers can have a sing along. I have a great team here and I am really pleased with the way the business is growing”.

Elaine and her team can undertake all aspects of hairdressing form European to Afro Carribean. She has also developed a specialism in supporting people who are undergoing chemotherapy and she provides a dedicated hair loss service including styling wigs to suit customers. She has also branched out into pamper parties, prom parties and Dad and daughter days where she shows fathers how to care for their children’s hair.

At the celebration event Gordon Henderson MP said: “I am always pleased to support local businesses and see them develop.

I am particularly pleased to support Elaine. I lived in halfway for many years and remember the Elizabeth Jane Salon. It is good to see the way in which Elaine has regenerated a well-established and successful business.

I would also like to praise Barclays for the support it gives to small businesses who want to expand.”

Elaine has been supported by her Barclays business manager Sally Saint, she said: “I went to Sally for advice right from the start, she was fantastic and guided me through the whole process. Now she has supported me through buying the premises for my Sheppey salon and I am so grateful for her help”.

Sally Saint, Barclays business manager said: “It’s a thrill to have seen Elaine develop and grow her business right from the start. As a long term Sheppey resident I am also pleased to have had a part in securing the future of this salon which has been so much part of the community for over 50 years. I look forward to supporting Elaine long into the future”.