As the rising costs of living mean tough choices between food and heating for some, others are reluctant to forgo their trip to the hairdressers.

Sonya Roberts, 35, has a salon in Didsbury, an attractive area on the outskirts of Manchester, which she set up ten years ago with another 25 year old friend. She bought her friend out shortly before Covid but, with the help of the Government furlough scheme, managed to keep her team of five employed and to re-open after the pandemic. Now she is facing the threat of double-digit inflation and, although confident that her loyal clients will keep her salon going, like many small business owners she's concerned about rising costs and overheads. The salon lease is up for renewal while supplies such as latex gloves have tripled in price.

Meanwhile in Stratford-upon-Avon, Janice Gennard in her mid-60s, runs a mobile hairdressing business with none of the overheads of a salon. As well as cutting and colouring clients' hair in their own homes, she does the hair of elderly/dementia patients in a care home. She shares her story with Sonya, including her experience of running a salon in Ireland where the 2008 recession was particularly bad.

Both agree that hairdressing and styles have changed considerably in the past 20/30 years but that many clients say a trip to the hairdresser is so important for self-esteem and mental health that they will make savings elsewhere - whatever the hardship.

Series Producer: Sara Parker
Sound Mixer: Tom Brignell
Executive Producer: Samir Shah

A Juniper Connect production for BBC Radio 4 Show less