Cost-of-living crisis closes Hereford hair salon after 70 years

Gemma Taylor bought Bella Fontay's Hairdressing Salon, in Quarry Road, seven years ago from Sarah Radcliffe.

Ms Radcliffe had taken it on 10 years before that from Donna Hooper, who had been its owner eight years prior.

Both Ms Radcliffe and Ms Hooper continued to work at the salon before Covid hit in 2020.

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It is now run by Ms Taylor, while one member staff has been working there for 21 years.

Gemma Taylor and staff (right) and Gemma Taylor (left) (Image: Gemma Taylor)

But due to Covid, the cost-of-living crisis, and other personal reasons, she is selling the building, but it is not being sold as a salon.

"It is the end of an over 70-year era," she said.

The salon's last day will be Christmas Eve, from then Ms Taylor will be renting a chair nearby at Bella Goode's salon in the Rose Gardens.

She has run pop-up salons at festivals offering glitter face art and hair ups, including the Hereford Food Festival, Nozstock in Bromyard, and Ollie Fest in Ross-on-Wye.

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They have also worked with local wedding and children pamper parties.

Before she bought the salon she was previously from Ross-on-Wye and rented a chair in a salon.

Ms Taylor also won the Herefordshire wedding awards and before that competed in hair competitions.

She then saw the salon was up for sale so began her dream, she said.