Purple perfection at forresters in pangbourne

With 40 years in the hairdressing industry, Forresters has a large portfolio including eight hair salons as well as a barbershop, beauty salon, training centre and coffee shop. 

For their latest venture, John Forrester and Lynne Smith (who has been with the company for 30 years) aimed to create a spacious, relaxing salon in Pangbourne, Berkshire. To design the new salon they chose David Bennett of CMC Design, who has been collaborating with Forrester' on projects for the last 15 years.

The premises was previously a wine shop which had gone into administration. It was completely cleared of all fixtures and fittings before the refit began, which involved creating three distinct areas: the styling and technical areas and the combined backwash and treatment zone.

Although each area clearly has its own zone, continuity is ensured through the pale grey and purple colour scheme, which was chosen because of its warming effect. Client comfort and an expensive look were all important in creating the new Forresters salon. "We wanted it to be classic yet modern, welcoming and easy for staff to work in," says John. "Rather than have a corporate look, we like our salons to have an individual feeling. We have no regrets at all with this one."  

What was the best thing you did?

Teaming up with our wonderful shopfitters Barnwood Ltd. They fitted our Shinfield salon and also our coffee shop called Posha.

What was the best bargain?

The titanium styling mirrors were in a Salon Ambience promotion, and we already had the foot stands from one of our previous salons which reduced the price down even more. 

What major work had to be undertaken to prepare the premises?

Apart from clearing out the original shop, the biggest challenge was to excavate a major part of the floor to allow for drainage from the backwash area. 

Name: Forresters

Address: 2 Reading Road, Pangbourne, Berkshire

Owners: John Forrester and Lynne Smith

Size: 2,500sq ft

Staff: 15

Styling stations: 15

Financing: Self

Design: David Bennett, CMC Design

Furniture: Salon Ambience, Excel, Wunderkammer, Laceys

Shopfitters: Barnwood Ltd

Features: Excel Amon Ra reception desk made from iron and stainless steel and hand-cast aluminium light fitting from Wunderkammer in the client washroom.