When it comes to hair salons, the city has a lot of choices for a cut or colour. KH Hair on Castlegate is still going strong since it opened in 1967. Amazingly, the team even has some loyal customers who have stayed with them since the late 60s.
Many of the staff have been with the salon for a long time too. Debbie McMenamin is the salon co-director and has been working at KH Hair for 24 years along with her husband Sean who has been with the brand since he was 17.
Debbie said: "We are an established salon who have been in the city for over 50 years so we have a clientele who have been coming since the beginning. We are a mainstream salon so we work on everyone from two to 92 years of age."
She added: "We have a great team who have all been fantastic - especially over lockdown. They came back and worked hard through crazy hours and restrictions. Hairdressers were really missed over lockdown as people missed having their hair done and that social contact."
Read more: Protest to take place at Stoke Bardolph over River Trent pollution
Debbie remembers the emotional moments when the salon reopened after restrictions lifted. As hairdressers are in close contact with customers, the reopening was a scary time for the team.
"It was scary because we hadn't mixed with anyone inside a building," she said. "We were in close contact with people who you don't know where they have been. It was emotional on our first day back as customers were queuing down the road to get in standing two metres apart. As soon as I opened the door, I burst into tears. We spent months planning but until you open the door, you have no idea how it is going to work."
Director stylist Gill Cookson, 51, has been with the salon for 35 years. She says one of her career highlights has been working on a shoot at Paris Fashion Week and being sent to LA for training courses after winning competitions.
"I love that every day is different. I can't think of anything I would rather be doing for 35 years. This place is like a therapy session where you can build a friendship too."
Most customers are unaware of the toll that hairdressing can take on the body where stylists are often on their feet all day and using their hands. Back and foot problems are common in the industry.
Gill said: "It affects the body when you are standing for nine hours a day, using your hands so you get repetitive strain. Your back, legs, arms and feet can all feel the toll. I noticed the difference when I came back from furlough when we went from nothing to full time. I was exhausted by the end of it but I'm not ready to give up yet."
Hairdressers need to invest in their tools in order to get the best results. Salon-perfect scissors can reach anywhere from £60 to £800 for a pair. If scissors fall they can often break - regardless of the price tag. Stylists often become attached to a favourite pair.
Advanced stylist, Emily Dyer, 22, has been with KH Hair for six years. She is about to audition for the Gen Now creative team for Wella which will see her advance in her career.
"I'm nervous but excited at the same time. The art team goes to mentoring days with hairdressers and educational days for new techniques. I have to do an auction where I bring a model with a prepped cut and colour who travels to manchester with me then I have to style her. I have to do a presentation in front of judges on theme and inspiration which is a bit of pressure but I'm excited to get out of my comfort zone and join the team."
The skill of the team is evident in the loyal customer base they have built up over the years. Customer Ann Hoskins, 92, has been coming to the salon since the late 60s.
"I started coming here shortly after it opened on King Street in the 60s. It was an upmarket place and was open plan whereas the others were in cubbyholes where you stayed at your basin until you went home. They were renowned for their cut here so that's why I started to come here. As a child, I had a mop of curls and they used to call me Shirley Temple then I did a spell in the Wrens where I had to keep it short. It curled up over my hat and I was the envy of the other girls," Ann said.
