BEAUTY businesses are on the up in Bradford, despite the closures of several familiar traditional high street names in recent months.

Since 2010, the number of hairdressers, barbers and nail salons has nearly doubled in the city, while big names such as Toys "R" Us, Maplins and Poundworld have disappeared.

Eight years ago there were 135 "health and beauty" businesses, but this increased to 265 by the end of 2017, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Big brands, such as House of Fraser and Mothercare, have come and gone from Bradford, but experts believe the staying power behind service businesses like barbers or tattoo parlours is because they offer experiences rather than products.

Lucy Stainton, head of retail at the Local Data Company - a business that tracks retail occupancy rates - said that one reason for the success of the beauty sector was that it provided a more affordable treat for consumers.

She said: "When money is tight people still want to treat themselves and getting your nails done is a way to do that without spending a larger amount of money on clothes.

"These sorts of things can't be done online, so people looking for experiences will help the high street."

She added: "In 2017 alone, we saw 624 new barbers open in the UK. Every sector has its spikes, but I see the beauty sector continuing to grow, and it is being quite largely driven by fashion trends and social media."

Only in the last few months, both a new bespoke barbers - Craftsman Barbers in Bingley - and a cosmetics and aesthetics clinic - My:Skyn in Allerton - have opened in the Bradford area.

Val Summerscales, Secretary at the Bradford Chamber of Trade said: "This is good news. Some shops are being reused and there's always a rolling change in the service industry - it's good that this is flourishing in Bradford."

She added: "You have to have balance on any high street, and if new types of business that weren't so evident before can come and make a living, it's always a bonus and a plus."

But, a tipping point may have been reached in Bradford, as the most recent records show that between 2016 and 2017 there were 10 less "health and beauty" businesses in the city.

Mrs Summercales believes that this isn't an issue though.

She said: "There's always a risk of over provision, but hopefully these businesses are spread out enough. It's only like other types of industry, such as on North Parade where there's lots of bars.