First hooker & young franchise opens in darlington
With a host of successful salons and business and creative awards under their belts, Gary Hooker and Michael Young decided it was time to branch out and open their first franchise in Darlington, close to their existing business in Newcastle and the surrounding areas.
The boutique townhouse is situated on the prestigious Grange Road, described as the "Rodeo Drive of Darlington" by one client. Run by Lesley Charles, the salon is luxurious, stylish and beautiful. While the ground floor space is dedicated to a retail haven, the lounge area on the first floor is the ultimate salon environment.
"The premises were already a hairdressing salon but to get the look we wanted we completely gutted the building and started again," Lesley explains. Lesley designed the salon with Gary and Michael, keeping the Hooker & Young corporate look while adding her own individual stamp.
The salon oozes opulence, from the Swarovski crystals hanging in the hairspa to the flocked metallic wallpaper used throughout the building.
The backwash hairspa is one of the main features of the salon, whith three celebrity backwashes which convert into beds and massage for the ultimate pampering session. Other stand-out features include the wall of mirrors in the lounge, the chandelier on the staircase and two beautiful bay windows in the salon.
As the first Hooker & Young franchise Lesley has set the standard, so how does she feel? "Becoming a franchisee is the best thing I've ever done, i can't believe I didn't do it sooner," she enthuses. "Providing a luxurious ambience for clients was really important but so was creating an environment the team would be proud to come to every day."
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Fact File
Name: Hooker & YoungBackwashes and chairs - Aston & Fincher: 0121 331 2000
Reception mounted units and hairspa panels - Kérastase: 020 8762 4000
Top Tips
- Work with a company that gives you accurate quotes on everything so you can stick to your budget.
- Make sure you project manage and are involved in all the decision making.
- Be realistic with your budget.
- Keep the client journey in mind and prioritise the most important areas.
- Research and have a good understanding of how to achieve your end goal.
Hooker & Young Darlington in Brief...
How would you describe the salon's image?
Beautiful, stylish, elegant and boutique.
What was the most important factor for you?
The clients' experience and providing a luxurious environment.
What was the most expensive part of the refit?
The building works.
