Philip, Georgina, Terri & Lucie at Manchester Photoshoot

Philip, Terri, Georgina, Lucie & Models visit the Wella Studios in Manchester for a photo shoot with photographer Jim Crone.

Top salon praised for apprentice scheme

Top salon praised for apprentice scheme

A top Shropshire hair salon has been praised for its thriving apprenticeship scheme which has been running for over 40 years.

The K2 Salon in Shrewsbury’s busy Darw

in Centre has produced over 200 qualified hair stylists in that time and owner Philip Minton’s conveyor belt of talent shows no signs of running out.

K2 have been given a seal of approval by Wolverhampton College which works with the salon on their training programme for young stylists.

College lecturer Marion Towland said: “Our partnership with K2 works very well and the apprentices benefit from the programme and from the experience of working alongside high quality professionals.

“They get individual attention and K2 have their own team of assessors whom we also monitor. We have been working with them for seven years and it’s a good model of delivery and has been very successful.”

It has certainly worked well for Philip Minton, a Bond Street stylist in the London of the Swinging Sixties, who set up the business in 1971

Philip, 62, of Weston Lullingfields, who has a second salon in Newtown, reckosn he has trained over 200 stylists since then and while many salons have given up offering apprenticeships, he is still a firm believer in them.

He said: “From our point of view and most importantly from our customers’ point of view we need to know that our stylists will cut hair the way we want them to but we work with Vidal Sassoon’s artistic team to ensure the cutting is precise.

“We also have a very good partnership Wolverhampton College who come in every week – lots of people train hairdressers to pass the exams but we want them to learn to do the job and the College work that way as well.

“What is important is to get people who want to do hairdressing not just as a job but as a career because the demands are always changing as fashions and techniques change.

“I do remember the moment I wanted to be a hairdresser. I was watching TV and Vidal Sassoon came on one of these Saturday night programmes with two lovely girls on each arm and these two women just stood there and shook the beautiful bobs he had created for them.

“After I had finished my apprenticeship I went to a Bond Street company and they retrained me to do it their way. That’s what the major salons do and that’s what we do too.”

Lucy Sumner, 16, from Springfield, Shrewsbury, started her apprenticeship at K2 in September after working as a Saturday girl at the Darwin Centre salon and she said: “It’s going really well and I’ve learned so much since I’ve been here.

“Since I was young I’ve always wanted to be a hairdresser and it all just fell into place when I got a Saturday job here and they offered me an apprenticeship.”

Hannah Stead-Jones, 18, from Newtown, divides her time between the salon in her home town and the Darwin Centre and she said: “I was in sixth form and was thinking about university but that’s not a guaranteed job although it is a guaranteed debt.

“I’ve always been creative and felt I had a flair for hair and I decided to look for an apprenticeship because it’s a skill and career for life and K2 are the best.

“The course can take two years but if you want to work at it you can and I hope to be qualified this summer.

“We get one on one tuition and the support here at K2 and from the college is fantastic and the staff at K2 are really good so you learn so much from being around them.”

Kevin Lockwood, Manager of the Darwin, Pride Hill and Riverside Shopping Centres, said: “Phillip’s salon is always busy and always buzzing and still as cutting edge as it was back in the day.

“It’s a fantastic learning ground for young stylists and is an important part of the varied offer we have here in the Darwin Centre.”

Rolling Back the Years - Magazine Feature HJi

Hairdresser Philip Minton is celebrating the 40^th anniversary of his first salon by rolling his price list back to the 1970s. The Shropshire salon owner started his career on London’s Bond Street in the Swinging sixties, after being inspired by the work of Vidal Sassoon. At the age of 22, he opened his first salon, Cameo in Shrewsbury and now has a second salon K2, in Newtown, Powys.

After discovering an original price list from the early days of his business, Philip decided to celebrate his landmark anniversary by offering clients retro prices – with a restyle on offer for less that £5, or a shampoo and set for £1.50.

Philip 62, of Weston Lullingfields, says. “ Hairdressing is always changing and you cannot stand still on either business or creative side. It is so much more than just a job.”

BBC Breakfast Radio Clip

Philip Minton, Kim Allman and Lou talk about the benefits of in salon training to BBC Radio Shropshire Breakfast Show with Eric Smith and Clare Ashford.

Shrewsbury Flower Show

Top stylists from a leading salon will be cutting hair in a good cause at the Shrewsbury Flower Show this weekend.

Anna Clinton and Georgina Hughes, of the K2 salon in Shrewsbury’s Darwin Shopping Centre, will be at the Show on Friday and Saturday cutting hair in aid of the Lingen Davies Cancer Charity Appeal – and for Anna it’s personal.

The 29-year-old lost her grandmother, popular former pub landlady Joan Clinton, to cancer this year and Anna said: “I really miss my nanna so it will be special to raise money for the charity.

“We did it last year at the show and we raised over £650 in the two days. Georgina and I must have been cutting 30 people’s hair a day – out hands were almost dropping off at the end.

“We had them queuing up and a couple of times we had to ask people to come back later because we were so busy and there were so many waiting but it’s such a good cause.”

The two stylists will set up in the Shrewsbury Shopping Marquee at the Shrewsbury Flower Show where the K2 salon has a stand and although they won’t charge for their services they will ask for a donation to the charity.

Nicholas Pitt, Centre Director of the Darwin, Pride Hill and Riverside Shopping Centres and one of the show’s main sponsors, said: “Anna and Georgina were at the marquee last year and they did a brilliant job.

“The Lingen Davies Appeal is a really important local charity which has done so much to help cancer patients from Shropshire and Mid Wales and it is especially significant for Anna as she lost her grandmother to cancer this year.

“Their efforts proved very popular last year and I’m sure they will again because Anna and Georgina are very talented and it’s a great opportunity to have your hair styled by two of the very best local hairdressers.”

Anna, from Greenfield Gardens, Shrewsbury, added: “My nana used to own the Springfield pub in the town and was very well known but a number of the staff jere at K2 have also had family and friends affected by cancer and that’s why we’re keen to do something to raise money for the appeal.

“We give them goodie bags and they can come along and have their hair cut and styled and all just for a donation to the appeal.”

Anna has appeared on the Clothes Show and was a finalist in the Young Hairdresser of the Year in Birmingham three years in a row while Georgina is just back from a course in advanced colouring and cutting techniques at the Sassoon Academy in London.

Georgina said: “It was mad last year, it was well busy and everyone was watching but it was fuin as well.

“We were so shocked by how many people came and the tent just got so full.

“We both did about 30 cuts each day which takes some doing.”

The Lingen Davies Cancer Relief Fund has recently reached its target of £3.2 million to build a new Cancer Treatment Centre at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and work is starting this month. The appeal’s fund-raising efforts are continuing to equip and run the new centre which is expected to be completed by autumn 2012.

Shrewsbury Shopping are a major sponsor of the Flower Show and their marquee will also feature stands from AT Computers and Currys Digital from the Darwin Centre as well as La Senza.

The Shrewsbury Flower Show – this year is the 124th – is the longest running horticultural show in the world and this year will also feature celebrity chef Gino D’Acampo and BBC gardening guru Chris Beardshaw.

There will also be a host of national and local exhibitors as well as entertainment from the Royal Artillery Motorcycle Display Team and medieval jousters The Knights of the Damned.

For more information visit www.shrewsburyflowershow.org.

Back to the 70s at salon to celebrate anniversary

Publish Post

Prices rolled back to celebrate anniversary

A Shropshire hairdresser has found a fun way to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of his first salon – a return to 1970s prices.

Philip Minton, a Bond Street stylist in the swinging 60s and owner of K2 hair salon in the Darwin Shopping Centre, Shrewsbury, is giving his tariffs a quick trim on special offer days to roll back the years.

He has found original price list frm the opening of Cameo, in the towns castle street, back in Decmeber 1971, when Ted Heath was Prime Minister, Sir Alf Ramsey was manager of England and Bennie Hills Ernie, the fastest Milkman in the west was number one in the charts.

Customers who visit his website and sign up could find they are entitled to a restyle at 1970’s prices,

Mr Minton, 62, of Weston Lullingfields, who also has a salon in Newtown, said he wanted to share the anniversary with his loyal customers. His career started when he was only 15 and was inspired by Vidal Sassoon, the inventor of the bob.

He said: “I do remember the moment I wantedto be a hairdresser. I was watching TV and Vidal Sassoon came on one of those Saturday night programmes with two lovely girls on each arm and these women just stood there and shook the beautiful bobs he had created for them.”

Mr Minton who is married with three children, said: “when we opened our second salon in Newtown 12 years ago, Elaine Nations, Vidal Sassoons first wife, decided to come in and give us a try because she was interested I think to support the new local salon.”

K2 is a Sassoon partner salon which means staff have day- long work experience with some of sassoons top stylists.

By Carl Jones

Shropshire Star

A hair–raising offer for salon’s anniversary

A hair – raising offer for salon’s anniversary

A shrewbsury hairdresser at the top of his profession has found a unique way to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of opening his first salon

Philip Minton, a Bond Street stylist in the swinging sixties and owner of K2 hair Salon in the Darwin Shopping Centre, is giving his prices a quick trim on special offer days to roll back the years to the 70s.

He has found an orginal price list from the days when he opened his first salon, Cameo, on the towns castle street back in Dcember 1971 – back in the days when Ted heath was Prime Minister , Sir Alf Ramsey was manager of England and Bennie Hills “Ernie, The Fastest Milkman in the west was keeping T Rexs “Jeepster off the number one spot in the charts.

Customer who visit his website and sign up could find they are entitled to a restyle and blowdry for under £5 or a shampoo and set for £1.50.

Philip, 62, of Weston Lullingfields who has a second salon in Newtown said he wanted to share the special anniversary with his loyal customer and think back over his career which started when he was only 15 and was inspired by Vidal Sassoon, the inventor of the bob.

He said: “ Ido remember the moment I wanted to be a hairdresser. I was watching TV andsassoon came on one of these Saturday night programmes with two lovely girls on each arm and these two women just stood there and shook the beautiful bobs he had for them.

“I just loved the way he was selling himself and his company and i thought to myself, I would like to do that.”

By te=he age of 22, Philip, who is married with three children, was opening his first salon and four years later he was in the Christmas edition of Vogue magazine.

But little did he know that the former wife of the man who inspired him to get into hairdressing would later become a customer.

He said: “ when we opened our salon in Newtown 12 years ago, Elaine Nations, vidal sassoons first wife came in to support the salon.”

“she is a nice lady and we have had some fascinating conversations with her over the years....

Raising money for the Welsh Air Ambulance

K2 the Salon Team raising money for the Wales Air Ambulance in Bear Lanes Shopping Centre in Newtown, Powys.

Photo Shoot - Wella Studios Manchester

Anna Clinton, Amy Owen, Philip Minton, Georgina Hughes & Becky Griffiths went to the Wella Studios in Manchester for a professional photo shoot with Photogrpaher Jim Crone & makeup artist Carol Wilson.

Lingen Davies Charity Appeal.

K2 the salon supports the ‘Lingen Davies Charity Appeal.’ By downloading this voucher 10% of your total cost at K2 will be donated to charity.

http://www.k2thesalon.co.uk/promos/charity.pdf







Lingen Davies is a local charity helping local people with cancer

The Lingen Davies Cancer Relief Fund provides buildings, equipment, and services for the treatment and relief of cancer patients in Shropshire and Mid Wales. The current Appeal is to raise £3.2 m to build a new cancer centre at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

Philip Minton, K2 & Kameo hair salons in Shrewsbury and Newtown have done a lot of work over the years to help raise money for cancer charities. It’s a cause Philip holds close to his heart as he has lost several family members and friends from cancer.



From the archives...

"Royal Shrewsbury Hospital nurse Rogers, seated, from the gynaecology department, will be having her head shaved for charity tomorrow at 12.30pm on the lower level of the Darwin Shopping Centre. Senior Stylist, Anna Clinton, from salon K2, based in the Darwin Centre, will be on hand to carry out the task. All funds from the event will go to the Lingen Davies appeal."

A blast from the past -- New York Salon John Sahag

"Owner, Philip Minton, demonstrated the sculpture cut at the UK's top hairdressing showcase. Salon international 2000, in London.

Philip and co were invited by John Sahag to join their artistic team, selected from the cream of British hairdressing."

Philip continues to monitor the ever changing hair style and fashion scene ensuring that his team are continually kept up to date with regular courses in London.

Star woman, Friday December 1, 2000

A blast from the past: Hair Salon in Shrewsbury, Star woman, Shropshire Star, Friday December 1, 2000

Winner of Face of Shrewsbury (press release)

Thursday, November 29, 2007. Admag

To book an appointment with Philip Minton (Director of K2) , telephone K2 the salon on 01743 357645, Kameo Shrewsbury on 01743 363492, Kameo Newtown 01686 264700 or e-mail Philip at K2@K2theSalon.co.uk

Above Bev Thomas (face of shrewsbury) by Alan Taylor

e-mail alan@planetvisionphotography.co.uk

or visit Planet Vision Photography online now

Philip Minton director of K2 says

Philip Minton founder of Kameo group and director of K2 says...

“Its coming up to the Christmas party season and now is the time to be getting that colour that brings out your personality to brighten up the winter.”

“Accessories and hair up can really change your look completely.”

“Hair pieces are a great and easy way to give your hair colour, curl and volume”

“At K2 your Christmas hairstyle is created for you with a free consultation"

"K2 is now open late night Wednesdays”

“Reds and coppers will brighten up the winter but should be chosen to suit your style.”

"Merry Christmas and a happy 2008"

To book an appointment with Philip telephone 01743 357645 or e-mail Philip at K2@K2theSalon.co.uk

K2 specialise in creative party styles, book in for your free consultation.

The Face of Shrewsbury

Philip Minton with the John Poole competition winner, Bev Thomas,for the Admag Face of Shrewsbury in October.

Lipsick & High-heels

Philip, Anna & Gemma took part in the Lipsick & High-heels event, Shrewsburys premier fashion show.

This hair demonstration was a great success with the stylists showcasing the latest trends!

Cutting-edge salon opens - (from the archives)

Above Jo Stephens (Manager) , Amy Owen (Stylist) , Jo Bloodworth & founder Philip Minton"

"Cutting- edge salon opens"

November 2005,