IN A time of lockdowns and closures, strict social distancing measures, monetary considerations and reopening uncertainty, the administration of a enterprise has not been simple over the past 12 months.
From retail to hospitality, from hair and sweetness to tourism, we needed to remind impartial companies throughout the town that their prospects are prepared and ready to return, by giving them the chance to vote for his or her favourites.
Since launching the nomination kind the Journal has acquired greater than 150 entries from you – our readers – detailing your treasured locations, why these retailers must be recognised and celebrated, your particular reminiscences and why you’ll be able to’t wait to go to in a post-Covid world.
This week we’ve shone a highlight on simply a few of the metropolis’s magnificence salons and boutiques, to spotlight how their companies and employees are so sorely missed by our readers.
From helping with medical and well being situations, to simply wanting the last word pampering expertise, voters have made it clear that hair and sweetness salons and retail items are an integral a part of the town which have confronted severe hardship all through the Covid-19 disaster.
Listed here are this week’s high 5:
1) OSO Boutique – ‘Handled like outdated pals’
FAMILY enterprise OSO Boutique has been recognised for its vary of “fantastic, quirky however traditional” merchandise, with one thing for everybody.
Mom and daughter duo Jan and Nat Ashton have been bringing distinctive jewelry, equipment and clothes to ladies within the coronary heart of Salisbury because the enterprise opened in 2013.
“Nothing is an excessive amount of hassle” for these two in response to one nominator, with one other including they continue to be “constructive, optimistic and a breath of recent air” all through all obstacles, together with the Novichok poisonings and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Nat mentioned: “It feels extremely humbling to be nominated and if there’s one factor that’s turn out to be very obvious all through the hardships of this coronavirus pandemic then it’s that we’re actually blessed with actually fantastic prospects.
“Salisbury actually does have some extremely loyal consumers and when individuals round this city discover someplace they like, they actually do assist it in the fitting methods.”
Prospects have loved visiting OSO Boutique for a tailor-made and particular expertise, however have additionally appreciated the impartial’s transfer to the net.
Final 12 months, what was as soon as two OSO retailers boasting merchandise within the metropolis had been reworked to suit underneath one Excessive Avenue roof.
Nat added: “I believe what makes our enterprise particular is that so lots of our prospects are like pals and even when we don’t know our prospects names or they’re new to our store they’re at all times handled like an outdated pal.
“With the trials of lockdown we predict individuals yearn an increasing number of for that private contact and that’s one thing we’ve at all times championed at OSO.”
Nat Ashton of OSO Boutique
2) The Sharp Apply – Private {and professional}
BESPOKE tattoo and piercing studio The Sharp Apply has been highlighted by our readers for giving each knowledgeable and private expertise.
For some Salisbury residents getting a primary tattoo or piercing is not any simple feat, however the friendliness and professionalism of the The Sharp Apply household has helped prospects chill out and benefit from the expertise, enabling them to come back again time and time once more.
The family-run enterprise on Catherine Avenue has been described by nominators as the perfect tattoo parlour in Wiltshire, with some travelling from additional afield simply to get their physique artwork full, together with from Swindon, Andover and Warminster.
One buyer mentioned: “The employees at all times discuss to you and ask questions, whereas I do know another locations simply take you in and get it over and completed with, they at all times attempt their hardest to make you are feeling welcome.”
One other mentioned: “I can keep in mind how welcoming and type the employees had been, particularly since I used to be so nervous, to not point out how clear and secure every thing was.”
The group takes delight in conversing with prospects to each make them really feel at dwelling and assist them in bringing their inventive concepts to life.
A spokesperson for the enterprise mentioned they’re “over the moon” that The Sharp Apply was nominated, including: “It’s pretty to assume the shoppers are nonetheless fascinated by The Sharp Apply on this unusual time. All of us love working and being right here.”
With tattooists and piercing employees with years of expertise, they added: “I believe The Sharp Apply is a pleasant household store which helps individuals really feel comfy.
“All of us like to assist individuals with their concepts to get what they need and get the perfect tattooist for them as all of them have a speciality – Darren is conventional, Matt does portraits and Jake loves Polynesian and tribal.”
The Sharp Apply
3) Studio 15 – ‘One cease magnificence store’
A HAIR and sweetness salon that opened throughout the Covid-19 pandemic has been profitable in constructing a loyal clientele, with prospects praising the enterprise for “bringing every thing to underneath one roof”.
Described by one nominator because the “final pampering expertise”, Studio 15 opened across the first Covid-19 lockdown, providing a spread of companies, remedies and merchandise to the Salisbury group – a few of which weren’t but supplied anyplace else within the metropolis.
Guests have celebrated the enterprise for its resilience and the best way it has coped with opening and shutting all through 2020, with a number of expressing that they can not wait to get booked in after the present lockdown.
One buyer mentioned: “Studio 15 is pleasant, welcoming, accommodating, stress-free and a phenomenal salon with every thing going for it. The employees have been unbelievable to me and my household since lately opening. I don’t go anyplace else now and suggest to others on a regular basis.
“My teenage daughter suffers from juvenile arthritis and was supplied to make use of their collagen mattress which improved her situation and temper drastically.”
One other counseled the enterprise for “pretty employees, incredible merchandise and inexpensive costs”.
Studio 15’s Sophie Cormack, who opened the enterprise at solely 24-years-old, mentioned it was “pretty to be recognised” and described the enterprise as a “one cease magnificence store”.
With companies together with solar beds, collagen beds, hairdressing, and sweetness remedies, Sophie added that it’s “the one magnificence store in Salisbury to have every thing”, and there’s a loyalty scheme on provide for repeat prospects.
An overriding response from nominators was that they left Studio 15 feeling “particular, snug and pampered”.
Sophie Cormack of Studio 15
4) The Hair Extension Cave – ‘Inspirational’ proprietor
THE proprietor of The Hair Extension Cave has been recognised for her “unbelievable” wealth of information, in addition to “altering peoples’ lives” together with her “excellent” hair care service.
Since opening the hair extension provider and salon on Fisherton Avenue, Molly Prepare dinner has been labelled as “an inspiration” by her prospects, for supporting their hair journeys by wigs, types, recommendation and extra.
One nominator mentioned Molly “goes above and past” for anybody who walks by her doorways, with one other including you allow the positioning as a pal.
“It’s not only a job to Molly, it’s an enormous a part of Molly’s life. That’s what makes her and The Hair Cave so particular,” one other mentioned.
Responding to the suggestions, Molly mentioned: “I’m honoured, and in such a horrible and uncertain time for companies it actually lifts my spirit and motivation, that sadly has been sat underneath a gray cloud on this pandemic.
“Hair loss is one thing that may have an effect on your entire life and you’re continually reminded of it, I’m right here to not solely give assist but in addition the answer.
“I’ve numerous prospects that suffer from alopecia and are present process chemotherapy and are already going by a lot of their lives, that I do no matter I can to make them relaxed, glad and really feel like themselves once more.”
The Hair Extension Cave
5) Head to Toe – Salon’s ‘particular touches’
A “SALON with soul” and “a secret escape” is how a magnificence enterprise has been described by its prospects, as they stay up for the return of appointments to meet up with employees and stroll away feeling pampered.
Head to Toe on Winchester Avenue has been recognised by locals for its “particular touches”, making each expertise tailor-made and private to the client.
From “inventive nails” to “wonderful espresso”, residents have famous the little issues supplied by the enterprise that makes it such a celebrated impartial in Salisbury, together with a welcoming ambiance, loyalty playing cards, seasonal treats and smiling employees.
A buyer who travels from Fordingbridge to Salisbury particularly for the Head to Toe expertise described the salon as: “One of the best I’ve ever been to”, including: “The employees are extraordinarily pleasant and their companies aren’t ridiculously costly both.
“I really feel wonderful after I stroll out of there. They’re the one cause why I journey into Salisbury.”
Salon proprietor Magdalena Miller mentioned: “I really feel so grateful to everybody who nominated Head to Toe. We’re so fortunate to have such wonderful prospects who picked us. Thanks for all of the assist within the tough time.”
Involved concerning the Covid-19 impression, one other buyer mentioned: “The friendship and belief I’ve constructed with Magdalena and her group is irreplaceable and I might hate to see the enterprise undergo as it’s presently.
“Magdalena has labored extremely exhausting to construct a status and kind relationships with purchasers so with out them, I can perceive why a self-employed enterprise like this one might undergo large monetary losses.”
Extra constructive suggestions concerning the group included “at all times smiling, welcoming, clear, hygienic, the service is past fabulous and so are your remedies.”
When requested what makes the enterprise particular, Magdalena mentioned: “The eye to element. Truthful costs. Pleasant atmosphere for patrons to take pleasure in chatting and excessive requirements of hygiene.”
Head to Toe
In future options we will probably be focussing on different particular industries, so whether or not it’s the customer support, ambiance, location or merchandise on provide, we would like you to inform us about your favorite merchants and companies within the space, and what makes them so nice.
For extra data and to appoint a enterprise click here.
