Paradise work proves hell as barbers folds Huge city centre construction project drives customers away
AONCE-THRIVING hair salon in the centre of Birmingham has gone to the wall as its owners claim the Paradise Circus works have destroyed their business.
Parlour Hair closed for the final time last Friday almost a decade after it opened in April 2009.
The hairdressers was located in Paradise Street, opposite the Town Hall, and once welcomed loyal clients from all over the Midlands.
However, the mass redevelopment of Paradise Circus and part of Centenary Square has crippled the business, so much so that for the past 18 months the owners were losing up to £4,000 every month.
Co-owner and director Phil Gifford, 49, told the Birmingham Post: “It all went downhill 18 months ago when the demolition started.
“There was just no traffic and no free marketing on the roads because they were all blocked off. “It’s in a right state around here. “Not only that but they’ve been digging up the road for the new Midland Metro literally a yard or two away from the shop and that’s still two years away from being complet- ed. That’s on top of the Paradise Circus works. We literally had hoardings right outside the salon. We were completely cut off from town.
“It has all just affected our regular clientele and those travelling into Birmingham from Bromsgrove and Sutton Coldfield. It would take them ages to get in because of the knockon effect of the traffic.
“They were battling their way in
Iand in the end they gave up, and can’t blame them.
“We’d also run late nights as well but with all the work going on, it kept customers away because of the homeless people and drug users gathering in the temporary underpass and alleyway. We were just made to feel totally invisible and we’ve had to call it a day.”
He added: “A top stylist who applied to work here turned it down because she didn’t feel safe leaving work in an evening.”
Mr Gifford ran Parlour Hair alongside partners Lily Ridding and Anthony Pytlinski. There were six stylists – including colour technicians – and two apprentice hairdressers up until its closure.
“It was our dream come true to run a salon in town,” added Mr Gifford.
“We would have been celebrating our ten-year anniversary in April next year which is a shame.
“In the end some of us were putting our own personal money in to pay the bills off and it all got too much.
“We tried and tried to make it work but I’m just angry at Birmingham City Council.
“People have lost their jobs and I’m really sad for them.
“There just seems to be zero support for independent businesses in Birmingham. We’re all gutted.”
Co-owner Anthony Pytlinski added: “I’m extremely saddened. I’d never thought I’d be sharing this news.
“It’s been very stressful. People are supposed to come here in a peaceful environment and switch off, read a magazine, but the noise was incredibly disruptive.
“There was only so much we could turn the music up. Cups of tea were vibrating and falling off tables. It’s very sad.”
We literally had hoardings right outside the salon. We were completely cut off from town Director Phil Gifford