RUSSELL Eaton is celebrating four decades as one of Barnsley’s best known hairdressing salons.
Owner Russell started out above fashion guru Rita Britton’s Pollyanna shop, on Burlington Arcade.
He then moved to Wellington Street, and in 1996 relocated to what was once Benjamin Howard’s pawn shop, on Shambles Street overlooking the town hall.
Russell now has a second salon in Leeds and alongside his children Isobel and Robert, who have taken up the family trade, he has trained plenty of Barnsley’s top hairdressing talent.
Russell, 65, said it is loyalty to the town and his clients which has kept him trading in Barnsley.
He said: “I have clients who still come from the time I first opened and I have had a lot of support from Barnsley people, for which I am very grateful. While there have been many changes to the town centre I am still proud of it.
“I think I have always been pretty focussed on the business. We always work very hard at promoting the hairdressing industry within Barnsley, which has seen us achieve lots of awards.
“I am also fortunate that my son Robert and daughter Isobel are both in the business so I would like to think the salon will still be around for another 40 years yet.”
Russell has seen plenty of apprentices come and go through his salon, but some, like two members of his current staff, have stuck around for more than ten years.
“I have got a good team around me of very loyal people,” Russell added.
“I’m not as hands on anymore except for when I’m working on my own clients. And by this point, most of my clients are friends too.”
Hair care company Wella took Russell and his family to London for a meal at The Shard to celebrate his 40 years in business.
“I’m taking the stylists to the Beehives, Bobs and Blowdries Ball at The Civic as a treat.
“The exhibition is something we have contributed quite a bit of imagery too as well as styled some of the wigs and a few photos from how the salon looked 40 years ago. I even let them borrow a hairdryer which I have had since I was 14 - I don’t use it any more.”
Russell said celebrity stylist Andrew Barton, who was born in Royston and has helped curate the exhibition, jokingly cites him as an inspiration after having his hair cut by him when he was younger.
