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MAJOR MAKEOVER FOR SALON WORKS WONDERS
THE triumphant unveiling of the new-look Streets Ahead
salon took place at the beginning of the year.
Two years in the planning, the major refurbishment of the former row of
terrace houses has completely transformed the hairdressers - swapping its
homely image for a sleeker, city-type feel more suited to 2006.
The design process included visits to London salons by owners Tony and Nuala
and also research into the health and safety - and comfort - of customers.
Now clients can enjoy having their hair washed in a room equipped with the
most comfortable washbasins on the market to the backdrop of soothing music
and lighting.
They will be greeted in the new fresh and stylish reception area before
going through to the completely refurbished salon - now equipped with 18
state-of-the-art styling stations.
“We wanted to foster a creative atmosphere with a contemporary feel,” says Tony.
WE'VE CUT THE MUSTARD AGAIN
STREETS ahead has been awarded five stars by the Good
Salon Guide for the sixth year running.
This year’s judges handing us the top score praised us for our “approach
to customer care and training”.
The Good Salon Guide is the only independent assessor of hairdressing standards
in the UK and Eire and grades more than 2,000 establishments each year.
Visits to the hairdressers are made annually by professionally
trained inspectors and are unannounced.
Director of the kite mark organisation, Gareth Penn, told us: “As
a five-star Good Salon Guide salon, Streets Ahead has passed a strict inspection
by a trained assessor looking at every area of the business. “Customers
know that at Streets Ahead, they are going to receive an excellent level
of customer service and client care. They can be sure that all staff are
suitably trained, with ongoing training forming an integral part of the
salon’s ethos.”
RUNNER-UP FOR TOP BOSS
Streets Ahead reached the semi-finals of a Government-backed
competition to find the best employer in the country. The salon made it
through, out of 1100 contenders, to the last round of the Employer of the
Year contest, run by the Learning and Skills Council.
The only company in its category to be nominated by Keighley College, it
was put forward for its strong track record in training youngsters to gain
hairdressing qualifications.
Keighley College’s apprenticeship and recruitment officer, Margaret
Manley, said: “To get through to the semi-finals was an absolutely
tremendous achievement.
Locally, Streets Ahead is a top-notch employer, particularly for young trainees.
“They offer apprenticeship training that is second to none, every
year taking on about four to six apprentices. They are rewarded with incredible
loyalty from their staff,” she added.
Streets Ahead has trained up 10 out of its 11 advanced hairstylists, who
have gained either an NVQ Level Three or five years experience, or both.
The salon is currently training three more staff and another four are due
to start later this year. And to make its training programme even stronger,
owners Tony and Nuala last year became certified NVQ and City and Guilds
assessors.
