"It's what David would have wanted" - Penwortham salon reopens with new name in tribute to hairdressing legend
“It feels like we’ve come home, because we work as a family.”
A Penwortham salon that closed suddenly after the death of its owner is back - with a host of familiar faces.
Legacy Hair and Beauty has opened in the former David Thomas salon in Liverpool Road, Penwortham, and is staffed by David’s former stylists, Chantelle Hargreaves (Charles), Gemma Wheeler and Abi Birchall as well as beautician Denean Horrocks.
The name of the salon has been chosen as a lasting tribute to their former boss, who they say is missed every day.
“It’s so good to be back” said Chantelle. “It feels like we’ve come home, because we work as a family. And we want people to feel like they did coming here when David was around. We want people to bob in and have a brew with us.”
David Thomas, a legendary figure in the Lancashire hairdressing world, died in April aged 65, just months after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). In May, hundreds of customers received a text message from the salon, stating it had closed permanently.
After weeks of staff working in salons elsewhere across Preston and South Ribble, Denean, who worked with David for 17 years, was able to secure the lease to the building. She said: “It’s been emotional. I just know David would have wanted us to do this. He wanted us to have the best future and it’s meant so much to do this for him.
“And we’d have been silly not to - the shop is is in the heart of Penwortham and is wonderful.”
The team say customers can expect the same level of service as they did under David Thomas, with the same range of high-quality products.
Chantelle added: “Our clients are more than just customers - sometimes we know more about them than our own families! In the past few weeks since reopening, we’ve been busier than ever and have been overwhelmed by people’s reaction. The first week, it was like a forest in here with all the flowers - Denean had to go home for extra vases.”
Gemma said: “It’s great to be back. We’ve missed all of our clients, the atmosphere and spacious salon. But we’re back and we’re bringing the same vibe as before.”
The salon is currently looking for another stylist to take a chair. Anyone interested is asked to call 07817383142.