Inside Exquisite Hair Salon which has opened in Wibsey

Shirley Ainsworth, 47, has opened up her new Exquisite Hair Salon in Wibsey High Street, after moving from a smaller site on the same road.

She originally opened up her first site in Wibsey three days before lockdown last year, but was forced to close due to the pandemic. However, since reopening, her business has expanded, leading to her moving to a larger location.

It is her first venture as boss, which includes a team of five staff, after she previously worked for others and as a mobile hairdresser.

Ms Ainsworth has worked as a hairdresser for 32 years, 18 of which were in Wibsey before moving to Baildon and then to Cyprus for four years. She was also a single mother to three children for 12 years, but since her children are now older, she has decided to run her own business.

She returned to the Bradford district two years to be close to her father, Jimmy Davey, following the death of her mother, Susan Davey.

From, owner Shirley Ainsworth, front, with Donna Chew, left, and Millie Meadows, right, line up inside Exquisite Hair Salon in Wibsey where they all work

Ms Ainsworth officially opened Exquisite Hair Salon on October 1. She held a raffle which has so far raised £230 for the Covid ward at Bradford Royal Infirmary as a tribute after her father, who died of coronavirus in January this year.

During the enforced closures of her fledgling business last year, Ms Ainsworth used the time to promote and inform people that she was back in the area. She also praised her partner, Andrew Reed, for his support as she set up the salon.

All the products the business use are vegan and none are tested on animals. She also uses and sells her own range of beauty products, including shampoos and serums, in the salon, with the brand also named after the salon.

Ms Ainsworth says it is great to be back working in Wibsey. She said: "It's working out really, really well.

"We want the clients made to feel welcome.

"We want to have a good philosophy of care for people. We offer a good service.

"Everyone in Wibsey has been so supportive. I have been here for a long time. Building something up from scratch has been hard going.

"We need something in Wibsey as it's always negative information all of the time.

"We pamper people and we are psychologists for them too. I have clients who come here from Manchester. I also have people who have followed me for years.

"I started working in a salon when I was 14. I had built up a clientele before I left school.

"This is the first major venture of me being the owner. It is nice to have my own business.

"I thought before setting up this business that life is too short. What is the worst thing that could happen? It could go under, but at least I will have tried."

The salon is open Monday 10am to 4pm, Tuesday 9am to 5pm, Wednesday 9am to 1.30pm, Thursday and Friday between 9am and late and Saturday 8am to 2pm.