There is a new name and new faces taking over one of Sidmouth’s longest running hair salons.

Helen Pike and Sam Pearson are the new owners of Hair Flair, after working at the business for eight and six years respectively.

Original owner Phil Margaret has retired after running the shop after nearly five decades and sold it to his two members of staff, who have renamed it the Salon at Sidmouth.

The two-person team can see up to 12 clients on a busy day and said their aim was to make sure customers have an enjoyable experience.

Helen, who has worked as a hairdresser for 24 years, said: “The majority of Phil’s clients have stayed. Everybody knows us, that is the nice thing; everyone is so friendly, it’s just like going out for coffee with a friend, it doesn’t feel like a job.

“Phil was relaxed and very easy going and just so friendly to people. He always remembered things about people. It was a good environment to work in.

It doesn’t feel real, we just want to keep our customers happy and make sure everyone has an enjoyable experience. We want to make it feel really professional for people to come here, know about their lives and their families.

“I like being out of the town, it’s quieter, you can park easier. It’s just a nice feeling being out here and it’s just trying to keep this end of town alive.

“We want to say thank-you to Phil to let us have this opportunity. He could have sold up but he wanted it stay a hairdresser and carry on what he started all those years ago.

Sam, 22, started his apprenticeship aged 16, and said that it was a good partnership owning the business as Helen as they worked in similar ways.

He said: “I was doing my A Levels, started looking into apprenticeships and came across hair dressing and I enjoyed it.

“I spoke to Phil to try it six years ago and I’m still here. Taking on your own business, you have to go for it.”