Halo Hairdressing

Marjon Sport & Health

26th April 2021

SHERFORD BECOMES THE PLACE TO PLAY AS NEW PLAYGROUND, SKATEPARK AND GAMES AREA OPEN… AND THERE’S MORE TO COME!

19th May 2021

Published by on 26th April 2021

Let’s face it – we all gave hairdressing a go this year and in return have all developed a new-found respect for our hairdressers and the skill involved. I know I’d much rather leave it to the professionals in future. At Halo, they not only care about the client’s hair, but they pride themselves on being a friendly and welcoming salon that creates a healthy environment for their clients and staff. After a long three months in lockdown, spending some time to socialise is the best medicine for our mental health. We last spoke to the salon owners, Julie Wotton and Sarah Jury back in March 2020 after they had recently moved into their new salon. One year later, we wanted to catch up and find out how they have coped through the pandemic and more about their exciting new updates.

Experience and attention to detail are never compromised at Halo. With affordable prices, the team at Halo ensure that you will still receive the very best quality, cleanliness and range of styles, all with a smile! ‘A Family Salon’ is how Julie and Sarah view Halo. With clients ranging from 1-101! and Julie having 33 years experience and Sarah, 17 years experience, they are well equipped to cut, style and colour ladies, gents and children’s hair. Baby changing facilities and a large disabled toilet are available in the salon and free parking is conveniently situated opposite the salon for up to three hours, otherwise, there is a long stay car park in Meavy Way for a small fee which is also nearby.

12 years ago, Julie and Sarah made the exciting decision to purchase what was originally named ‘Snips’ and take it over as ‘Halo Hairdressing’. ‘Snips’ was part of the Plymouth & South West Co-op partnership, but in 2009, the company decided to sell all non-food stores and salons. Julie, then salon manager at ‘Snips’ and Sarah, senior stylist became a partnership and were able to not only safeguard their own jobs but those of the six employees that also worked there.

Julie Wotton and Sarah Jury

Fast forward to the end of 2019 when Halo packed up its things and made the move just down the road to a newer and larger premise. The move has been received positively by their loyal clients and not to mention their pristine renovation throughout the whole of the salon. Formerly a dark and dingy bank has now been transformed into a modern and spacious salon.

This year they are keen to make the finishing touches to their new, fresh salon with some artwork and smaller accessories. Having only completed the refurbishment of the salon in January 2020 and having three lockdowns, they hope that now they will get the chance to personalise their new space even more.

Halo Hairdressing has recently celebrated its 12th Birthday on the 14th April 2021, just two days after being allowed to re-open to the public after yet another very long National lockdown. The best birthday gift they could have asked for was to get back to their much-loved salon and give their clients, new and old, the joy of a new haircut.

Since we last spoke to Julie and Sarah, things haven’t all been smooth sailing. Julie was unfortunately diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2020 and had to wait to undergo an operation in August, but is now pleased to say she has got the all-clear. However frightening this was for Julie, she believed in Sarah and their team to ensure the salon was well taken care of so that she could focus all of her attention on getting better.

There’s a bun in the oven! A new pair of tiny feet are going to be walking around the salon very soon as Sarah is going to become a mum for the first time! Sarah is delighted to finally share the news with her clients that she is due to have the baby in June.

Whilst the Salon was shut over the Christmas period, Sarah had to undergo Keyhole surgery due to an ovarian cyst which was a very worrying time for her. Thankfully, the surgery went well and the bump is cooking nicely!

The team at Halo!

Crownhill Podiatry.

The treatment room is now home to John, a podiatrist with 19 years of experience. With treatments including routine podiatry, verrucae, biomechanical assessment and cast orthoses, leave with your feet looking beautifully pampered with the help of Crownhill Podiatry. Julie has said, ‘We look forward to helping him build his business and welcoming him into Halo.’ You can find out more on his website www.crownhillpodiatry.co.uk. Please do not call Halo for an appointment but ring John’s number on 07736 333498.

The team is growing! Julie and Sarah hope to take on an apprentice for a trial period which they are hoping will eventually make the transition to a permanent member of the team as a qualified stylist. They have been on the lookout for a long time and fingers crossed this will be a step in the right direction for the growth of their company.

The team at Halo not only enrich their community with gorgeous new haircuts, but they also go above and beyond to help charities and local organisations too. Last year the team supported Pink Week for breast cancer and raised nearly £200! This money was collected by a collection box within the salon and a pink hamper raffle prize of which the girls all contributed to. Julie has also helped with her children’s PTA by taking part in a virtual balloon race and virtual quiz night and Sarah often donates vouchers to local businesses.

The safety of their clients is paramount in Halo and the team have gone to extra lengths to make sure of it. The front door is locked so that you can only enter by appointment and there is a doorbell to ring on arrival which regulates the number of clients in the salon at any one time. They have cleaned up the outside waiting areas which are all undercover. On entry, they have provided hand sanitiser and they ask that all clients wear a face covering. The team will too be wearing face coverings at all times.

All towels, capes and gowns are washed after every client, however, they always did this anyway! Payment is only taken by card and if you bring a reusable coffee cup, they will happily make you a brew! For those particularly vulnerable, they have a chair set aside from the rest to make you feel at ease. For any other information regarding Covid measures, please visit their website.

The pandemic has affected Halo in that they have lost a small number of their clients due to job losses and are not in a position to be able to return at the moment. They feel fortunate in that you can’t get a decent haircut online knowing they will always be in demand as a profession. In times where clients have had to colour their own hair, clients realise what a hassle it is and how messy it can be. This is another positive that has come out of the pandemic as we have all learnt to appreciate things more and take less for granted.

Financially, all of the girls are fully employed and have been furloughed and Sarah and Julie have been lucky enough to receive the government grant for the self-employed which meant the company has been financially stable throughout the pandemic.

Now that they are open, they are glad to be picking up where they left off with training of new techniques and products, supported by Goldwell and L’Oreal. Keeping up to date with new trends and products is something Halo does naturally with their team of all-rounders that have experience in all aspects of hairdressing. They all have varying strengths, from the older ones with perming and classic cuts and more traditional techniques to the younger girls with balayage techniques, weaving and hair-ups.

Due to the pandemic, they have temporarily suspended all of their promotional offers, however, it won’t be long until they plan to reinstate them. Once the offers are back, if you subscribe to their website, clients will receive 10% off your next appointment when printed out and produced when paying. They also have a loyalty card offering lots of incentives and different offers in the oracle, published by OM.

We asked Julie and Sarah why they love hairdressing so much and they answered.
‘We love the chats, the laughs and we genuinely look forward to seeing our regular clients as well as meeting new clients.’

On top of this, they are passionate about the art of cutting, styling and colouring, and in return, seeing their clients smile after their appointment, making sure they feel good.

The mental health of lots of people has been impacted during the previous lockdowns and it is with the help of friendly salon’s like Halo to put a smile back on your face with a new hairstyle, or to make you feel confident and ready for when the world can start opening back up again. As with all of our business profiles, we asked Julie and Sarah about their 5-year plans, however, it goes without saying that they are so happy to just be open again after so long and to see all of your faces, new and regular!