Salon still cutting despite disruption
A CARDIFF hairdresser has watched her business grow and thrive over the course of 40 years, while cutting generations of customers’ hair during that time.
But Alison Corria, from Rumney, said customers may not realise her shop remains open.
She runs a salon called Headmistress, at the Maelfa Shopping Centre in Llanedeyrn – which is undergoing a major redevelopment.
The multi-million-pound Maelfa Regeneration Scheme is set to transform the area, with a phased programme of redevelopment planned over three years.
In total, there will be nine new shops, new parking facilities, pedestrian crossings and public spaces, 54 affordable apartments and houses managed by Cardiff Community Housing Association (CCHA), and 57 homes which will be sold.
But Alison claims customers don’t realise her shop has remained open during the works.
The businesswoman, 60, said: “They are redeveloping it, but the few people who are left here are trading from the back entrance, so some people do not know we are still here. Most people think the Maelfa has been demolished.
“The shop has been here about 40 years. We have lasted through the year, which is a good thing, and we hope to get through next year. I’m not against the development – we just want people to know we’re here.”
Cardiff council said it had offered tenants rent concessions to reflect any disruption caused by the work.
Alison said: “We have been doing this for 40 years and some customers have been coming here for that long. It’s a real community shop.
“It’s always been like that and it’s being friendly that’s kept us here. We just want people to come in, have a cup of tea and relax.
“We have very loyal customers and very loyal staff. It’s a proper community here and we just want people to come to the shop.”
A Cardiff council spokeswoman said: “Businesses in the centre provide valued shops and services for the community and the council and contractors have worked closely with tenants to ensure they can remain open throughout the redevelopment programme.
“We understand the considerable challenges of continuing to trade while this major redevelopment is ongoing and have offered tenants rent concessions to reflect any disruption caused during this time.
“We are grateful to all businesses and residents in the local area for their patience and we know everyone is looking forward to the new shops opening later next year.”