A GROWING appetite for tanning salons has seen a chain set to open a new branch in Bradford.
Indigo Sun will open its latest outlet in Yorkshire this autumn when it welcomes customers to its new site in Greengates Retail Park, Harrogate Road, Bradford. The opening date will be between October and November, according to a spokesman.
The business already has salons open at the White Rose Centre, two locations in Leeds – Pudsey and Seacroft – and others in Huddersfield, Doncaster and York.
The move means Indigo Sun is now catering for 20,000 regular customers across Yorkshire, with each spending an average of £500 each year on treatments.
Frank Taylor, the founder and chief executive of the family firm, hopes the latest opening will further accommodate the booming demand from tanning enthusiasts.
He said: “We are seeing the popularity of tanning salons grow across the UK, and Yorkshire is a particular hotspot for us.
“People here want to look and feel their best, particularly during the holiday season, which means there is a real enthusiasm for safe, healthy, tanning options.”
During lockdown the firm mapped out an ambitious growth strategy which will see it open 10 new outlets every year, focusing on sites where retail parks offer convenient stop-and-shop locations on busy, arterial routes.
The White Rose Centre includes three other outlets and has free parking for up to 20 vehicles, including two electric vehicle charging points.
Mr Taylor added: “Part of the reason that dedicated tanning salons are growing in popularity is because of the cost and complexity of the equipment.
“Modern sunbeds now have features such as Bluetooth so that customers can connect their phones and play their own choice of music. They also have sophisticated aircon systems and sensitivity settings for specific skin types.
“We have designed our salons to have more sunbeds in them to reduce waiting times and ensure our staff have an in-depth knowledge on the use of sunbeds.”
The forthcoming Bradford branch also shows the firm’s commitment to investing in Yorkshire.
Mr Taylor said: “We have big plans to continue investing in Yorkshire as the demand for salons continues to grow in this part of the country.”
Indigo Sun has more than 100 tanning venues across the UK, employing 950 people.
In February, the firm reported its best results, recording a turnover of more than £26 million and almost £5.6m profit in its latest financial year. The end of lockdown saw customers return in such numbers that at peak periods in 2022 Indigo Sun was serving 140,000 people a week.
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