Did you hear that Manchester is now home to the UK’s first ever flexible workspace for the hair and beauty industry?
And it’s now the only place in the country to sell a renowned US hair colour range.
If you’ve made your way down the city centre’s main thoroughfare at all over the past couple of months, then you may have noticed that Number One Deansgate has welcomed Phenix Salon Suites as its newest addition, after the legendary US brand has chosen Manchester as the destination for its first-of-its-kind UK hub – and it’s already proving pretty popular.
Given that it’s already a huge hit across the pond, with over 300 locations and partners to its name in the US, then it’s probably no shock that the venture is taking off here in our city, but what is it actually about?
What’s the story behind the business that’s changing the hair and beauty game?
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Bringing the concept of flexible workspaces over to the world of hair and beauty, Phenix Salon Suites – which was originally launched in Colorado Springs in 2007 by founder and entrepreneur, Gina Rivera, and was created to offer an alternative to renting a chair – gives industry professionals the chance to run their own businesses by leasing an intimate salon inside a fully-kitted-out facility.
Phenix is the first concept to offer the opportunity to become truly self-employed, and to own and operate a business without the hassle and expense of facility management and maintenance.
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Each luxury studio comes complete with high-quality equipment so that tenants can concentrate on running the business without worrying about the costs or set-up of utilities, and Phenix also offers business mentoring to help grow client bases, network, skills, and income, all in a professional setting.
Phenix Salon Suites was created to offer an alternative to renting a chair for hair and beauty professionals / Credit: The Manc Group
Having officially opened doors in our city back in October 2021, over 70% of the 29 studios in the Manchester hub have now been leased. There’s a host of double suites still available for any hair or beauty professionals looking to launch a joint salon business or to work side by side.
Tenants include hair stylists, massage therapists, nail techs, skincare professionals and makeup artists, with some of the businesses having set up shop down the spa-like corridor including celebrity hairdresser Andrew Trott-Barn, legendary Manchester stylist Mitch Woodiwiss, Joseph Snee at Joseph Patrick Hair, Ashley Longmore at Moloko Hair, Kayleigh Johnson at Kayleigh The Hair Witch, Daniel Davies at Arkham Hair Design and many more.
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Each unit has been completely personalised and decorated by its new tenants.
The new Manchester venue is now home to some unique spaces like a witch-themed salon, and a luxury hairdressers inspired by a mirror ball.
Each unit in the Manchester venture has been completely personalised and decorated by its new tenants / Credit: Phenix Salon Suites
Lucy is one of the tenants at Phenix with her business Daytime Studio.
She said: “I started doing nails at home. As I started to grow, I knew I wanted to set up my own nail salon but the thought of renting a chair or a huge space was daunting. The fact that Phenix Salon Suites was a nice little space that I can personalise to my taste was perfect!”
Luke, of Purple Rinse, commented: “What appealed to me about Phenix Salon Suites was the chance to be independent, not having to manage anybody else, and to be as flexible as I want. It’s a private 1-1 space, but you’re not alone as you still have other like-minded people around you.”
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“We know how hard it is to set up a salon from scratch,” said John Gillespie, operations director of the UK & Europe at Phenix Salon Suites.
“Even more so when it comes to finding something affordable in the middle of an incredible city like Manchester, so we wanted to make it accessible and achievable for anyone to create their own business, and [that’s why] we’ve launched the very first Phenix Salon Suites here in Number One Deansgate – maybe one of the best addresses in the city.
“We chose Manchester as our first location here in the UK as it’s already a leader in the hair and beauty industry and there are so many creatives and entrepreneurs.”
“We knew immediately it was the right home for us,” he added.
Over 60% of the 29 studios in the Manchester hub have now been leased / Credit: The Manc Group
Leases at Phenix Salon Suites in Manchester operate month-to-month, with no long term contracts to enable tenants to work with flexibility.
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Hairdressers and barbers will be provided with a backwash, styling chair and hair trolley, while nail artists or beauty therapists will be offered sink units and storage trolleys, and each tenant will also have access to a break room / kitchen space, as well as an on-site laundry room with free use of commercial equipment for fast washing and drying.
And the new tenants only have good things to say.
“There’s no competition at Phenix Salon Suites,” explains Hayley Crankshaw from Cheeky Bleach Hair Boutique.
“We aren’t competing with the other stylists. We all want collaboration. We are like neighbours more than rivals as Phenix Salon Suites is giving working class people the opportunity to have their own business, without the significant debt, which was what really appealed to me, but I also liked the idea of being able to decorate my own suite to fit my own brand.
“There are also no time limits, so I can choose how many clients I see in a day.
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“People are looking for flexibility these days and that’s what’s so great about creating your own small business with Phenix Salon Suites.”
has now become the first place in the UK to sell a new hair colour range / Credit: The Manc Group
If Phenix wasn’t already off to an incredible start as it is, as mentioned, the concept has now become the first place in the UK to sell a new hair colour range, Colours By Gina – which has already seen huge success in the US.
The Colours by Gina range is a specially-curated line of hair colour, which is designed exclusively for hair professionals and entrepreneurs, and is a carefully-chosen collection of calibrated shades that allow for beautiful results.
The PPD-free, c cream-based colours are a unique blend of specialised dye pigments, gentle alkaliser, and protective oxidisers.
Phenix Salon Suites even hosted a special free event to mark the launch of the colour range earlier this month, which included live demonstrations of the Colours By Gina 60 shade palette on real hair models, and saw all attendees walk away with a goody bag worth £50 that’s filled with haircare gifts.
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By swapping competing to collaborating, Phenix Salon Suites has created a community for hair and beauty professionals where they can create and express their love for the industry.
Less than a month to go until a blockbuster Manchester derby in the WSL at the Etihad Stadium
Danny Jones
We’re just one month out until one of the best games on the football calendar: the Manchester derby in a Barclays Women’s Super League campaign that is shaping up to be one of the most tightly contested in some time, with multiple Lionesses and international stars on show.
Manchester City and Man United are both duking it out at the top of the table already, with the high-flying East Manchester club and last season’s Adobe Women’s FA Cup finalists both boasting plenty of reason to go into the game confident.
With Man City boasting not just the home advantage but the bonus of playing in front of a crowd at the Etihad Stadium, many are already expecting a blue moon to rise once again.
This season may have only just begun, but Man City Women have already shown plenty of promise and signs of early form. Barring an opening day blip against the champions, Andrée Jeglertz’s side have looked pretty prolific; Man United are right up there with them, meaning we’re bound for a good clash.
Netting well over a dozen goals – the most of any team in the league – theCityzens will understandably feel on the offensive when they host the visitors on Saturday, 15 November.
The Etihad recently hosted the Lionesses themselves in a close-fought fixture against Brazil this past October, with City legend Georgia Stanway herself getting on the scoresheet.
Man United are right up there with them, though, meaning we’ve got a derby day that shouldn’t disappoint. Let’s be honest, it rarely does.
Don’t you just love it when two rivals go into a clash in strong spirits?
Now both full England internationals are arguably fighting for the same position, too, you can expect the pair to get a rousing reception when they rock up/return to the Etihad.
All eyes will be on this WSL fixture, especially with members of the back-to-back Euros-winning Lionesses squad taking to the pitch on both sides.
Clinton, Park; Lauren Hemp, Ella Toone, as well as more international stars such as Viv Miedema and Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw – there’s going to be so much talent on show.
Speaking to The Manc ahead of the match, first-team star and City vice-captain, Kerstin Casparij, gave us their thoughts on the historic and always hard-fought rivalry…
What does the Manchester derby mean to you?
The derby means more to me every year. It’s not just 3 important points, but also pride and bragging/banter rights. This year, I’d say it’s also about redemption for me, considering our home loss last season.
Are there any standout memories of derby day that come to mind?
I think the away win at Old Trafford two years ago is a nice memory. Being booed for the full 90 minutes and coming away with a win feels extra satisfying.
It really is set up to be an unmissable meeting between the two heavyweights of the female football world, with a 1:30pm kick-off leaving plenty of time for added fanfare before and after either whistle.
Promising plenty of activities in and around the stadium, as well as the dedicated Man City Kids Fan Zone, a completely free event that runs for four hours before kick off on the indoor pitch of the City Football Academy, the ‘Blue Carpet’ experience, where you can see players arrive 90 minutes before the game and plenty more, there’s so much going on.
As well as fun games at half-time, live entertainment, not to mention a wide range of food and drink around the concourse, it’s going to be a great day out.
Best of all, tickets are super affordable: general admission for adults starts from only £15 and £5 for under 16s. If you grab two adult passes and one U16 ticket, you can get any additional U16 tickets for just £1 each.
If you want to enjoy Hospitality at the Etihad Stadium, packages start from as little as £35. From the Sports Bar experience and the Tunnel Club, where you can see players getting read on the way to the dugout and pitch, or even a bottomless brunch before the game with your friends.
Whatever offer best suits you, fans can grab tickets right to see Manchester City Women, Man United, Lionesses stars and more right HERE.
Major up-and-coming Manchester neighbourhood to debut Shared Ownership apartments
Daisy Jackson
A brand-new development that’s part of Manchester’s ground-breaking Redbank regeneration is welcoming guests to discover more about the new neighbourhood.
L&Q at Victoria Riverside, who have just launched a collection of Shared Ownership apartments, will be hosting a special day of tours so that Mancs can find out more about this major new development for the city.
Once complete, L&Q Victoria Riverside will be home to an 18-storey building with 128 Shared Ownership homes, at the heart of the up-and-coming Redbank neighbourhood.
Over the next decade, Redbank – just a short walk from Manchester Victoria station – will become a bustling corner of the city home to new schools, healthcare facilities, restaurants, and bars.
And all just a stone’s throw from public transport links, Manchester Arndale shopping centre, and the iconic Northern Quarter.
L&Q at Victoria Riverside marks the first phase of Victoria North, which is the biggest urban regeneration project in the North of England.
Within the development, residents will have access to an on-site co-working space, podium gardens, gym and concierge service.
L&Q at Victoria Riverside in Redbank. Credit: Supplied
Mancs will be able to get a glimpse of everything that’s to come with an exclusive preview day of tours and conversations with the L&Q sales team on 25 October.
The event will welcome customers who have registered interest to chat about their property search, and take tours of the brand new show home.
Shared Ownership is a government-backed scheme that helps first-time buyers afford to get on the property ladder. Through part-buy/part-rent, buyers purchase shares in a Shared Ownership property that would otherwise be unaffordable to them.
The sales team will be available to provide more information about Shared Ownership on the day.
Find out more about L&Q at Victoria Riverside HERE.
The L&Q at Victoria Riverside event will take place between 11am and 4pm on Saturday 25 October at Dantzic Street, M4 4DN – you can sign up for free tickets HERE.
And you can find out more about L&Q Shared Ownership via Instagram HERE.