A LONG-STANDING hairdressers has reopened after a five-figure revamp under new ownership.

Exhibition Hairdressers in Barrow has welcomed seven more staff members through its doors after undergoing a refurbishment.

The salon, located in Cavendish Street, has been in business for more than 30 years, which sparked the interest of property developer Richard Wilson.

When Exhibition came up for auction three months ago, Mr Wilson saw an opportunity and decided to snap up the town centre shop.

Mr Wilson, who also owns a property development company and is a shareholder in Grilla Cheese, invested £15,000 into the salon, installing a new bathroom and water system as well as introducing beauty and nails treatments.

He said: “Someone said to me you can’t buy a haircut on Amazon and I thought that’s about right.

“Hairdressers are one of the things you can’t buy online so I thought it would be a safe investment.”

Mr Wilson is looking to drive the business forward alongside salon manager Kevin Clarke who has been working at Exhibition for more than three decades.

Mr Wilson said: “Kevin has been at the shop for 32 years so we’re going to be going forward together. I’ll look after the stuff behind the scenes and Kevin will be managing day-to-day.”

Alongside the new recruits, the business now has more than 100 years of haircutting experience between them.

Excited customers were welcomed through the doors on Tuesday for the reopening after the salon’s revamp.

Mr Wilson said: “The first customers have arrived in what we expect will be a hectic few days. There’s a buzzing atmosphere among customers who have really praised the new look.

“Hopefully we get some more customers coming in.

“We’re doing beauty and nails now and offering a range of different treatments now.”

Mr Wilson described the investment as a ‘big risk’ but hopes others will take the leap to improve the town centre.

He said: “It’s a big risk for me considering the state of the town centre but if no one takes that risk, it will just continue to get worse. Someone’s got to take a chance and help improve the town.

“Hopefully it might encourage other people to take up a business here and we can turn a corner.”