A new barbers is opening in Harrogate town centre next week.

The Scissors Project will open on John Street on Tuesday. The salon was an idea that came out of lockdown for experienced barber, John Scott.

Following months at home, John was eager for a new challenge and found the “perfect spot” in the town centre. Since receiving the keys two weeks ago he has renovated the space to function as a barber shop, ensuring appropriate distancing between the chairs.

John said:

“I’ve always wanted my own place but it’s never been the right time. During lockdown I started looking and I saw this place so it’s gone from me not looking for a place to me being here now.

“Even in this time it is still an essential service, people are never going to stop getting haircuts. I think for me personally and the industry as a whole covid is something we’ll have to get used to. Now that the rules have changed slightly it’s helped a lot. I don’t think it’s going to change anytime soon.”

Its owner hopes its central location will encourage business.

Read more:

• After covid cancelled her travel plans, one Harrogate hairdresser fulfilled a different dream and opened up her own salon.
• When hair salons opened in July safety measures had to be put in place.

The Scissors Project has already been building interest before it opens, and John hopes to employ more staff if business gets busy.

“We’ve been generating a bit of interest on social media to get people used to a new place opening. If it gets busy I’ll look into bringing another barber in and an apprentice.”

Harrogate’s “puppy boom” during lockdown has seen local people set up new businesses to capitalise on the new market.

More dogs and the needs of new pet owners has been the driving force for several new start-ups in Harrogate.

With more people working from home the number of puppy sales has increased. This is good news for local entrepreneurs who have been able to set up new businesses to work with the new dogs in the district.

New puppies increases the need for training, grooming and accessories – this has given a boost to business for three local business owners.

Holly Hamp has opened up Dog Spa Harrogate:

“I was working in a kennels and a lot of people aren’t going on holiday so it turned into the right time right place. There are a lot of people doing the same thing. People have been getting dogs over lockdown but there are concerns with that too. There has been a puppy boom which means people need their dogs grooming and walking especially as they return to work.”

Charlotte Wilson has put her work as a makeup artist on pause so instead set up a business making personalised dog accessories. She said:

“Its all based around personalisation anything from dog treats, bowls, treat baskets. It has been really successful, I didn’t think it would go that well. I am wanting to grow it with staff, eventually we hope to sell more each day to employ people that had lost their jobs. A lot of people have just got a new dog so want to spoil it with new products. People are just mad about them! I’d never tried it before but I have three dogs and I thought what do I love and that was dogs, so I ordered the printer and set it all up.”

Katie Bell has resumed her career as a dog trainer after seeing a niche for owners with new puppies over lockdown.

Read more:

• Harrogate pet shop says they missed out on puppy boom because people purchased online goods instead. 
• Police have reported a rise in people being scammed when trying to buy puppies online.

Katie Bell has trained as a dog behaviouralist but worked as a dog walker until lockdown when she saw a niche for new owners needing to train their dogs. She said:

“Since lockdown I knew there would be a lot of dogs needing help specifically with separation anxiety as their owners return to work. I am getting another dog soon so I have set up a facebook group to provide regular training videos for people to follow at home. My enquiries have massively increased, I think since people have been at home more they have realised their dog or new puppy has behavioural issues. Now the rules have eased I am able to do training in people’s gardens or indoors and I think that will only increase.”

Holly Hamp has set up a dog groomers in Harrogate after seeing the need for dog services grow.