25 years of hairdressing at Red

When Red Hairdressers first opened its doors on Driffield’s Market Place on 30th October 2000, Jo Muir and Sue Ingram were two ambitious twenty-somethings armed with scissors, a kettle that barely worked, and a very patient group of family and friends who got roped into painting.

There may still be traces of that first paint job hidden on the walls of their first premises, which they rented, testament to the enthusiasm of amateurs.

Jo and Sue worked six days a week in the early years to make it a success, fuelled mainly by determination and coffee.

Soon after, they took on their first two apprentices, beginning a legacy of training young stylists who have since multiplied to nine over the years.

Some of them never left, some have returned and others taken their skills around the world, proof that the salon is either a great place to work or nearly impossible to escape.

They were all trained by Jo and Sue with the help of all the other girls and day release at Beverley College, topped up with extra L’Oréal courses, meaning they can handle everything from a classic cut to a colour crisis.

After the success of the early years, working six days a week and often 12-hour days, Jo and Sue managed through thorough hard work, to save a small deposit to put down for their own building on Middle Street South, which they have had ever since.

They had a great deal of help with the lease and setup thanks to a local businessman, who bravely helped with the shop and the paperwork – arguably the most dangerous job of all.

And the recent infamous shop-front conservation project?

Only two years of planning battles, a small mountain of forms, and enough patience to rival saints, but finally completed earlier this year.

Through it all, the real magic has been the people. Red Hairdressers proudly serves hundreds of loyal customers, many of whom have been popping in since the very beginning, and some who have now been friends with Jo and Sue since the start back in 2000.

They’ve seen weddings, job interviews, breakups, first days at school, and more questionable fringe trends than anyone cares to admit.

Now, as Jo and Sue celebrate 25 years in business, they want to say a huge, heartfelt thank you to every staff member, every apprentice, and every customer who has supported them.

They added: “They’re the reason the lights stayed on, the laughter continued, and the scissors kept snipping.”

Here’s to 25 years of great hair, great people, and great stories, plus many more to come (and hopefully fewer planning applications).