Couple shut salon ‘with heavy heart’
THE couple behind a Beeston hair salon have announced its closure “with a very heavy heart”.
Pure Kutz closed at the weekend after four years of building up a loyal clientele in the town, with an average of 200 to 300 customers a week.
Gareth Carter, 33, has been forced to take a step back due to ill health, leaving him and his wife Kelsie, who owned the business in High Road, no choice but to shut up shop.
Mr Carter said it was a sad day. “We got accepted into the Beeston and Chilwell community really well. We had a lot of good clients and made a lot of good friends out of it.
“We are going to miss them but we’ve had to prioritise my health and family life. I think that’s more important than money,” he said.
His health problems started earlier this year when he had surgery to remove part of his thyroid after discovering a lump in his throat.
He cut back on his hours after the operation but a couple of weeks ago suffered a heart scare when he collapsed and had to be rushed to King’s Mill Hospital in Sutton-in-ashfield.
“I don’t know what it was exactly but I’ve got to go for tests. That was the turning point where family life has to come first. I have a five-yearold. It was a wake-up call,” said Mr
ILL-HEALTH FORCES DECISION – BUT OTHER SHOP STAYS OPEN
Carter, who has been a barber for 10 years.
Mrs Carter started Pure Kutz in Arnold seven years ago before expanding to Beeston. That salon in Front Street remains open and one of the stylists has transferred there.
Her husband still has an input into growing the business but is working from home, with fewer hours.
However, he hopes to do the odd day in the Arnold salon to cover if his health is up to it.
A new area for children with learning difficulties is currently under construction.
“We are building an additional needs corner like we had in Beeston with the car chairs and jungle corner.
“There will be bubble tubes, lights and a fibreoptic ceiling,” he said.
“We are a friendly family salon anyway - we are very good with the children and do get a lot who travel to the salon.
“Over the years we’ve met people who struggled to have their children’s hair cut and we want to be a safe space where families can come in and the parents don’t get stressed and upset and the children are happy.
“It’s trying to give back to the community.”