By Nigel Tilson, Business Editor AN international hair salon group has unveiled plans for a major expansion programme in Northern Ireland.
Toni & Guy, which has 300 salons in 20 countries, said the opening of two outlets in Northern Ireland this month was the shape of things to come.
It revealed it is aiming to pump around £8m into developing a further 15 salons provincewide over the next five to seven years.
"Toni and Guy is committed to expansion in Northern Ireland. We see tremendous business opportunity in the Belfast market and in towns further afield," explained Bill Harris, one of the partners in Toni and Guy Northern Ireland, part of the international chain run by the Mascolo family.
The two salons opening this month are a replacement for the firm's only existing Ulster salon at Donegall Square North in Belfast and a new outlet on the city's Lisburn Road.
Mr Harris explained the company has invested £1.2m and created 80 new jobs in the first phase of the expansion project.
The flagship Toni & Guy salon in Donegall Square North has now moved to larger premises in Wellington Place which feature a New York-style nail bar and coffee shop.
The Lisburn Road outlet, which is due to open at the end of this month, will also have a nail bar along with a Toni & Guy academy offering day and evening courses to hairdressers all over the province.
Mr Harris further pointed out: "Higher levels of disposable income, and a general upgrading in grooming expenditure by both men and women in the province, have encouraged Toni and Guy to look at aggressive expansion beyond the single salon site in Donegall Square North."
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