A new £1m venture offering hair and beauty professionals space to operate without having to sign long-term leases opens in Liverpool. Tony McDonough reports

A new £1m venture offering salon suites to hair and beauty professionals has opened in Liverpool city centre.

Phenix Salon Suites operates a model first seen in the US. Instead of having to commit to long-term leases or contracts, hair and beauty practitioners can rent a chair in the facility with no commitment.

Located at the Corn Exchange Building in Fenwick Street, the 6,500 sq ft site has been transformed into 35 suites following a £1m renovation project.

Each suite comes complete with equipment including a salon chair or beauty bed, backwash or spa sink, cupboard and trolley. They also have 24-hour access, Wi-fi, air conditioning and kitchen and laundry facilities.

To celebrate the launch of the new Liverpool site, Phenix Salon Suites is offering hair and beauty professionals the chance to secure a year’s free rent, personalised business advice, and access to an ongoing series of seminars in a prize worth £30,000.

UK managing director John Gillespie, said: “Phenix Salon Suites has been built on a passion for being the change we want to see in the hair and beauty industry.

“A key part of that is doing our bit to support as many beauty professionals as we can with their career goals. That’s always been at the heart of the Phenix concept, and this competition is one of many ways we’re helping to do that.”

Available through the Phenix Grant, the upcoming competition is open to all those working in the hair and beauty industry. 

To enter, participants are being asked to provide a brief bio and business idea or plan to the Phenix team. All entries will then be assessed based on creativity, viability, market potential, and passion, before a lucky beauty professional is crowned.

John added: “Phenix Salon Suites is a relatively new concept for the UK, but after the huge success we’ve experienced over in the US, it’s clear to see that others recognise the need for a new way for hair and beauty industry professionals to run their businesses.

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“Previously, those who wanted to set up on their own would often have to rely on renting a pricey chair in a salon, but with Phenix, all our tenants have the power to be their own boss.”

The concept was launched by Gina Rivera, renowned haircare and hair colour brand entrepreneur and creator of beauty line Gina Xoxo, who previously appeared on Channel 4’s Undercover Boss.

Click here to find our more about the Phenix Grant.