Sisters’ emotional return to salon once run by their mum and grandma
ALICE AND PHOEBE STARTING THEIR OWN BUSINESS IN SAME SHOP
TWO sisters are opening a new salon in the same shop their grandma and mum had as hairdressers in the 1970s.
Sisters Phoebe Scurr, 28, and Alice Gretton, 32, have experienced many “emotions and memories” as they start their new venture at 42 Main Road, Gedling.
Their grandma, Jackie Flint, known as Mommar, first owned the salon, called Jackie’s, from 1974 until 1986. Their mum Melanie Turner, nee Burrows, then took over the salon, which closed in the 1990s.
The sisters had recently become self-employed hairdressers and explained how it was “meant to be” as the unit, formerly a cake shop, became free. The duo are set to open Gigi Creative’s in the spring.
“It’s not until we started knocking it down that all the emotions have hit and we are like ‘oh my god this is so special. It’s so nice,’” said Phoebe.
She continued: “It wasn’t until we were ripping it out that we were like this is ever so emotional. They keep reminiscing now about everything we are doing. It’s meant to be, everything is meant to be.”
“Everything happens for a reason,” Alice added.
When they first started working on the site they found many things that brought back memories of their family, such as old hairdressing combs in the brick, an old crochet hook they would do highlights with, and a fireplace their dad built for their mum.
The salon was first bought by their late grandad Tony Burrows. During that time, he was unwell and purchased it so his wife Jackie would be closer to their home in Gedling.
Phoebe said: “Mommar had it for about 12 years and when my mum was 14 she used to help out as a Saturday girl. When she qualified and turned 18 she took over and Mommar retired.”
In the 1990s, it was rented out and became Lady Carlisle’s, and it then went on to become cake shop The Finishing Touch, which closed during the Christmas period last year due to retirement.
Mommar Jackie and mum Melaine, who still own the shop, asked the girls if they would like to take it on.
Phoebe said: “Mum just said ‘girls, you’ve gone self-employed now do you want it?’ We said yes so we are now renting it. It wasn’t always the plan we went self-employed.
“That’s the dream for anyone really, we were always like we would love that. It was never the plan to open up there because it was full with the cake man. My mum was so happy he was there because he was there for so long and was so loyal.
“He sent in his notice and then it just happened. It was the right time for us because we had just gone selfemployed and the right time for the building because no one was in it. It has just all fallen into place.
“At the start I was scared, it’s a big thing owning a salon, it’s a lot of responsibility. I almost didn’t think about it being Mum and Mommar’s until we started ripping it out and found loads of things.”
Whilst work is under way the girls have huge plans to transform the site into a luxury space.
They have both been working in the hair industry for years and “absolutely love” what they do.
Alice first started after a career change from fashion at the age of 18 and has spent 14 years in hairdressing.
Phoebe first began straight from school in an apprenticeship, they both went on to work together at the same salon for nine years.
Speaking about their plans for the new salon, Phoebe said: “We want it to be a safe happy environment, for people to come and feel safe in, to be their happy place.
“We are loving it, being selfemployed, we want to give other hairdressers a luxury building and a nice place to work but still be their own boss so they still have that freedom of working when they want.
“I just think that’s so important to have that and make it a nice place.”
They have decided to pay tribute to Mommar by naming the salon Gigi Creative’s, a name with a special meaning.
Alice explained: “Gigi stands for two things, Phoebe’s maiden name and my surname is Gretton so originally what would we call it Gretton Girls, then it filtered down to Gigi’s.
“But it just so happens that Phoebe’s little boy Albert calls our Mommar, his great, great grandma, Gigi. The creative part, we want creative people all to have a safe space to work and do what they do best.”
Phoebe added: “It was Mommar’s and it was called Jackie’s, I guess we are calling it after her but her new name which is Gigi.
“I think they’re really excited. And so proud of us.”