A HAIR and beauty salon is celebrating more than half a century of being a successful family-run firm.
Hill Head Hair and Beauty, in Crofton Lane, first opened its doors in 1961, run by Beryl and Ernie Stares.
The business originally started life in their conservatory, but its quick success meant the Stares had to open a small shop in Fareham.
Just four years after beginning the business they moved it to Crofton Lane, where it has been ever since.
‘There were no other hairdressers in the area, so our friends kept coming to us at home, and it grew and grew.
‘Before I knew it I was running a business, completely unintentionally,’ Beryl said.
Beryl and Ernie’s daughter, 50-year-old Rachael Riches, started working at the salon at the age of 14, washing clients’ hair and helping out with odd jobs.
She is now the salon manager, and employs her own daughters, Fiona, 22, and Hannah, 28.
Fiona is a senior stylist and Hannah started up the beauty side of the business after joining three years ago.
Hannah said: ‘I don’t know how we’ve managed to keep it going in the family so long.
‘People do always ask us, I suppose it is quite rare these days.
‘We all grew up here, and so we all clubbed together and stuck at it. We’ve struggled a few times over the years, but we’ve persevered and it has paid off.
‘My daughter is four now.
‘She loves coming into the salon and putting rollers in her dolls’ hair. It would be nice if she took it over some day.’
Comments