Beauty salon marks 20 years

Owner Clare Rogers (seated, centre) with her loyal staff (from left) Natalie Aspin, Leah Rigby, Jenny McErlain and Rachel Bosher

TWO decades ago, a beauty salon opened in Grotton that has not only stood the test of time but also become a byword for excellence.

Three years later, Slenderworld took on an 18 year old straight from a two-year foundation course at The Oldham College.

Slenderworld and Clare Rogers (35), from Austerlands, are still together, albeit in different premises in a different part of Oldham, but the old adage that Oldham Works because Oldham does it well has never been more appropriate.

The salon has a wonderfully loyal clientele which has moved with the business from Grotton to High Street, Lees, home to Slenderworld for 12 years.

Initially on the ground floor, the business moved upstairs when a men’s boutique — Atomic — took over the lower unit.

When founder Norma Doran decided to retire, Clare took the plunge and bought the business, which was flourishing with two full-time and two part-time staff, plus herself.

The next major move was when Atomic ceased trading and Clare, anxious to return to the ground floor, grasped the opportunity.

“The landlord told me he was thinking of selling and we quickly came to an agreement,” said Clare.

With her purchase of the business, re-equipping the two floors of the salon and acquisition of the building, Clare has invested more than £200,000 to keep Slenderworld ahead of the competition.

She said: “We have some clients who have been with us from day one and we also have new clients — everyone is welcome.”

Slenderworld also has a tenant, Nigel Dunbar, from Denshaw.

He has moved from a practice in Uppermill to set up a complementary business offering a natural health clinic, chiropody, acupuncture, counselling, Reiki and sports massage.

The future is looking more than bright for Slenderworld and Clare is expecting many of her clients, old and new, along with former owner Norma and former colleagues to join her this month to celebrate 20 glorious years.