A HAIRDRESSING business formed by two long-standing salon owners has opened in a refurbished Poole site.

Gina Conway and Robin James Hague joined forces to create what they call a hairdressing ‘supergroup’ under the Gina Conway brand.

The new operation has refurbished and rebranded the former Robin James Salon on Poole Quay as a Gina Conway salon – its first outside London. 

The Poole site has 20 styling stations and a spa with four treatment rooms, a two-person ‘pedi-spa’ and two manicure stations, all using the products of the cosmetics brand Aveda.

The owners have more than 50 years of salon ownership experience between them. They say their vision is to create the most sustainable salon group. They have three sites and an “in-home” service in London and a salon due to open in Winchester tomorrow.

Gina Conway, Aveda’s trade sustainability ambassador in the UK and one of six finalists for the Director of the Year title from Hairdresser’s Journal, said: “Having built my business from the ground up for the last 20 years on my own, I know how hard it can be and I have had to learn most things the hard way.

“Through this partnership with Robin, we both get to take advantage of our experience in business and to share best practices for the ultimate business. We both get to do exactly what we love for the business as our passions and strengths complement each other.”

Robin Hague, who founded Robin James Salons and Spas, said: “Twenty years ago I began using the Aveda brand and it was through that network that I first met Gina, who was establishing herself in London at the time and we became friends and would often exchange our ideas and best practices.

“We are both passionate about delivering high standards of hairdressing with an equally high standard of guest experience, so I am delighted that we have now been able to merge our salons and offer our customers the ultimate hairdressing experience. Having owned a salon in Poole, I am delighted to have refurbished this amazing space and rebranded under the Gina Conway name to create an even bigger and better experience for the local community.”