A MOTHER and daughter have opened a stylish barber shop with a hidden hand-crafted gifts boutique in Padgate.
Set back on a row of shops in Bruche Heath Gardens, co-owner Megan Daley spotted her dream plot three years ago while driving past and immediately exclaimed ‘I will buy that shop’.
The 22-year-old Great Sankey hairdresser embarked on the business venture with her mum, Lesley McCormick, to combine both of their aspirations in one exciting new shop for the community to enjoy.
Megan, who owns Megan Jayne Hair and Beauty on Chester Road, will oversee the running of Gentleman’s Barber Shop at the front of the building, with her partner and co-owner Liam Potter-Egerton.
“I have had my eye on that exact shop for three years,” Megan said. “We feel proud to have finally opened in our perfect location to offer a service that was missing from the community.”
Megan said while refurbishments were ongoing, locals were already poking their heads in with eager faces, ready to have their hair trimmed and styled.
The shop aims to be open seven days a week and cuts will range in price from £12 to £15 depending on what is requested, with pensioners’ set price at £10.
The ambitious business owner learnt her craft off her mother when she was just 16.
“I feel extremely grateful to have been able to achieve this goal of ours, and it is another proud milestone for me.”
Meanwhile Lesley, 58, who has also worked as a hairdresser for more than 30 years will run the unique gift shop at the back of the store – Hazel Bank Crafts.
The charming boutique is packed full of one-of-a-kind treasures, mostly handmade by Lesley and other local crafters.
“This has been a dream of mine to have a gift shop. I make everything from hand,” Lesley explained.
A frequent craft-maker, Lesley’s current craze is making shiny wooden ducks dressed in every type of outfit – also knitted with her own hands.
“I always used to do a different craft every year. I think I have made about 2000 ducks. The ducks are made out of bamboo root and are imported from Indonesia.
“I sand them down, polish and decorate them. They are very popular. They range in price from £18 to £35.”
One of the most popular items in her duck collection is the ‘drunken duck’ which will act as a stand to hold your chosen bottle or beverage.
Lesley has sold her hand-made goods on her Facebook page for years, so the idea of bringing those to shelves in her own shop has been long awaited.
As well as selling her own products, the hairdresser will also be renting shelves to other independent handmade brands and has so far built up a brilliant collection of unique items you can find nowhere else.
Some of the stock currently on the shelves includes crafted cushions, knitted children’s cardigans, dog bandanas and leads, jewellery, bath bomb bouquets, jugs and glasses, soaps and stylish upcycled items – and of course plenty of painted ducks.
“I want it to be a one-stop-shop. I want it to be a unique shop that you can buy something affordable but different.”
Lesley has had high ambitions since she began learning her trade of hair styling at the age of 16, living in Appleton at the time, and by the time she was 18 she was self-employed.
“If I have a carrot I go for it,” she laughed. “You have to jump at your opportunities and when this shop came up for sale, that is what we did.”
“It is a lovely row of shops. I am a chatter box, so I am really excited to meet the locals.”
Both businesses will open officially this week, with the gift shop open from Tuesday to Saturday, make sure to pay a visit.
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