Self-contained, separately ventilated salons offer a more controlled approach, ensuring an uplift in post-pandemic treatments
According to the National Health and Beauty Federation, the beauty industry has suffered approximately £1.75b in losses since the beginning of the pandemic*.
With government guidelines being relaxed and reintroduced daily, businesses are at a loss to know which services to offer and how to host clients safely. However, the Salon Studios business model offers the perfect solution to post-pandemic pampering for COVID anxious and higher risk categories, as well as those who simply wish to have more control: by reducing their exposure to the masses whilst completely personalising the experience.
A reinvention of the traditional salon ownership, Salon Studios offers self-contained, separately ventilated, move-in ready salons, for self-employed salon professionals who would like to provide a one-to-one service for clients.
This standard has allowed salonpreneurs to get back to work quicker and easier, without the massive overheads, and feel safe in their salon as they operate a one-salon-one-client model. Short leases and low weekly fees have meant an influx of interested parties contacting Salon Studios founder, Roz Colthart, so much so the first location in Corstorphine, Edinburgh, is filled and there is a significant waiting list.
Roz Colthart explained: “When the pandemic hit, we at Salon Studios, like everywhere else, were worried about how this would impact the industry. However, the demand we have witnessed has been completely unprecedented.
“Not only have we had enquiries for new locations from over 20 cities across the country, but we have had so many more enquiries in Edinburgh that we have started looking for another two venues within Edinburgh and Glasgow.
“As a businessperson – and someone who has worked incredibly hard to get this concept off the ground – it is hard for me to turn salonpreneurs away because we currently don’t have the space. But location is key and so until I find the right places to build our next Salon Studios location, those on the waitlist will be offered help via our Salonpreneur website and with tips and tricks from our active social media.”
Continuing to build on the success of not only the Salon Studio physical location, but also the growth of the ‘salonpreneur’ community, Roz Colthart is developing an app that will support people in the business. The app will be used in conjunction with the website which unites self-employed salon professionals, inviting them to share insight amongst each other whilst utilizing tools provided by Salon Studios.
Current salonpreneur and Salon Studios tenant, Tammy, comments on why this all works: “It is the most amazing concept I’ve ever come across and don’t know why anyone hasn’t thought of it before!
“It is so modern, bright and airy. The individually vented rooms are absolutely perfect for the safety guidelines that we have to adhere to during these strange times. I love every part of it, and what makes it even better is the amazing owner Roz! She has been so amazing from the get go! Anything I’ve needed help with, she has been there, and I appreciate every little piece of help I’ve received.”
2021 is set to be a big year with the ongoing growth of the salonpreneur community, as well as search for locations two and three. On top of this Ms Colthart is now set to offer franchising opportunities from her third-year trading, which is almost unheard of, let alone in the midst of a pandemic.
“The way our units are set up promotes luxury, wellbeing and most of all, safety; that is something we can no longer take for granted and has been the driving force in our exponential growth.”
Based in Corstorphine, each salon studio includes water and electricity costs, a PPL music licence, health and safety assessment, fire management program, rubbish collection, high-speed wifi, public area cleaning, CCTV security and 24-hour access as standard.
For more information visit www.salonstudios.co.uk
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