More than 20 jobs created at shopping centre

A new salon is set to open at Beverley’s Flemingate centre, creating more than 20 jobs.

Vintage & Co is the second hair and beauty salon established by hairdresser and barber Lee Carmichael following a successful opening in Hull’s St Stephen’s Shopping Centre last year.

It is set to open at Flemingate in April, bringing men and women’s hair and beauty services and treatments together under one roof, and will create 21 jobs with employed and self-employed roles available, including renting out chairs and beauty rooms.

Supported by business partners Tom Pearson and Jack Hardcastle, Carmichael is now busy transforming the 5,000 sq ft former Peacocks fashion store into a stylish space for seven barbers, seven hairdressers, four nail technicians and three beauty rooms.

A seating area will be created down the centre of the open-plan salon, which will have a traditional feel with an industrial and modern twist.

Carmichael, from east Hull, said: “Vintage & Co has worked really well for us in St Stephen’s and we know it will work in Beverley too. There isn’t anything like this in the town for men and women under one roof and adds something new and different to Flemingate.

“We want clients to feel welcome, comfortable and relaxed, and give them a great experience.

“We’re working flat out to be ready for opening in April and I’m really excited because we’ve upped our game with the Flemingate salon. It will set a new standard for the business and take the experience for customers to a whole new level.”

The letting to Vintage & Co means a local, independent operator has been secured for a unit left vacant after national retailer Peacocks went into administration, resulting in the closure of stores across the country.

Businesses at the centre are preparing to welcome customers back on April 12, the day when non-essential shops, gyms, salons and bars and restaurants with outdoor space can re-open.

David Donkin, property director at Hull-based Wykeland Group, owner and developer of Flemingate, said: “Vintage & Co will add another new and complementary element to the mix of outlets at Flemingate and we’re delighted this opening will enable a local entrepreneur to expand his business and create new jobs.

“We’re all looking forward to the lifting of restrictions and it will be great to have a new member of the Flemingate family.

“Hair and beauty salons are going to be in very high demand after the lockdown, so Lee and his team can expect to get off to a flying start!”

Carmichael has already secured four barbers and three hairdressers for his team ahead of the salon’s opening.