Historic Watergate Street, in the heart of Chester city centre, is set to welcome a new luxurious hair salon, as Butchers Salon, the eco-conscious and ethical Aveda lifestyle group, unveils its new location.
The group, founded by Chester native Susannah Richardson and business partner Katie Knox in 2014, identified a gap in the local landscape for a hair salon that harmonises luxury, sustainability, and kindness.
Comprising 12 salon stations, the new Butchers Salon is the group’s fourth UK location and features a carefully curated salon experience designed to ensure guests can indulge in self-care without compromising their ethical values or at the expense of the planet.
“Returning to Chester and bringing Butchers Salon to my hometown is a dream come true,” commented Susannah Richardson, CEO of Butchers Salon Group. “I’ve seen first-hand the power of ethical beauty and how it can transform lives, and our goal with this salon is to not only offer exceptional service, but to also inspire individuals to make conscious choices that benefit themselves and the world around them. Butchers Salon is more than just a business, it’s a reflection of our values and a testament to the incredible community that has shaped me,” added Susannah.
The new site will encompass the finest techniques in eco-friendly and ethical hair styling and care, with gender-neutral pricing as well as cruelty-free, plant-based products from renowned natural haircare brand Aveda.
Butchers Salon crafts its venues out of wood and raw recycled materials where possible and operates using eco-minded practices. These include taking steps to reduce waste and improve the salon’s carbon footprint by using recyclable, biodegradable towels, a QR code for reading material in place of magazines, as well as working with the Green Salon Collective and First Mile to recycle hair, foil, and chemicals.
The new Chester salon joins the group’s three other ethical and eco-conscious sites located in East London, Camden, and Leicester, and the team are now looking to expand further with nationwide franchise opportunities.
“Celebrating 10 successful years in business, we are thrilled to offer a franchise opportunity for like-minded individuals who share our values and commitment to sustainability, equality, inclusivity and kindness,” adds Susannah. “Our ethical approach not only benefits the planet, but it also resonates with a growing number of consumers who seek businesses that prioritise sustainability. Any potential franchisee will feel incredibly supported by a well-respected brand who actually cares, and we feel this is only the start for Butchers.”
As the first salon outside of London, Lisa Jane Massey jumped at the opportunity to open a franchise for the brand in her hometown of Leicester, having worked with Butchers for four years previously. Lisa says: “Being a franchisee with Butchers hasn’t just been about owning my own business, it’s about being part of a culture and a brand that develops people into becoming the best that they can be. I receive an enormous amount of support from Susannah, Katie and the team which allows me to focus on what I love – building business and the development of my own team.”
