AYCLIFFE TODAY PEOPLE | 5
@AYCLIFFETODAY
NEWS BRIEFS
POLICE HUNT MCCOLL’S
KNIFEMAN
Pictured (left to right) are Allison Cameron, Debbie
Borg, Katie Hymas, Katherine Peel, Bekki Agnew
and Stephen Szoboszlai.
STEPHEN RUSSEL SALON
CELEBRATES 30 YEARS IN AYCLIFFE
Popular hair salon Stephen Russel celebrated its 30th anniversary
in Newton Aycliffe this year by signing a new five-year lease.
Newtonian Stephen Szoboszlai is
one half of the Stephen Russel group
which owns two salons - Russel
Thompson is the other half of the
business team who looks after their
Yarm salon which came first in 1983.
The pair then opened the Aycliffe
shop in 1984 and, while the industry
has changed significantly since then,
it’s still going strong today - Stephen
has just signed a new five-year lease
to stay in Aycliffe town centre.
“I want the town centre to do well
and to thrive for obvious reasons,” says
Steve, 56, who went to Stephenson
Way, Woodham Burn and Woodham
Comprehensive schools in Aycliffe.
“I’m passionate about the town and
I want it to succeed. Our industry has
changed a lot but we’ve moved with
the times and that’s been the secret to
our success.
“If you look back 10 or 15 years ago,
people generally had more disposable
income. That has certainly changed
over the last five or six years.
“Trends have changes as have the
technical side of hairdressing, and I
think as hairdressers we have to be
innovative in the techniques that we
use, because we’re competing with
the shops and the mass market.
“Anyone can buy a set of clippers
and a box of colour and have a go,
but techniques have to be developed
in order for us to maintain that level of
professionalism.”
Stephen admits the renovation
of the town centre in 2013 was an
issue for the salon, but he added: “It’s
finished now and it’s better for sure.
“The fact we survived that period is
testament to how strong the business
is and how loyal our clients are.
“You don’t just need clients in this
game you need fans - people raving
about you to their friends and family and luckily we have those as well.
“It’s about the staff, the atmosphere
and the look of the place. Obviously it’s
also about price and that has become
more of an issue now, but we don’t see
the point in offering sales or discounts
because they’re one-hit wonders.
“Anyone can drop prices to drag
people through the door but we’re
more about quality.”
Stephen Russel, on the Upper
Beveridge Walkway in the town centre,
is managed by Becky Agnew with
stylists Katie Hymus, Allison Cameron
and Kathryn Peel.
Meanwhile,
beautician
Debbie
Bennett, from Aycliffe, joined the
salon a year ago and offers facials,
manicures/pedicures,
gels
nails,
waxing and tinting.
Give the salon a call on 01325
311681 to book your appointment.
Police are hunting a man who
terrified shop staff with a knife
before making off with a quantity of
cigarettes.
As reported on www.aycliffetoday.
co.uk, the raid took place at the
McColl’s store at Washington
Crescent at around 2pm on Saturday
6th December.
The man – described as white, slim
and about 5ft 7ins tall – reportedly
stormed the newsagents wielding a
large knife.
He allegedly demanded cash from
the till but when staff refused he
jumped over the counter and grabbed
cigarettes before making off.
The suspect had cropped ginger
hair and covered his face with a green
balaclava, police say.
Anyone with any information is
asked to call police on 101.
WELFARE CHAMPIONS
DAY OF ACTION
A multi-agency group set up to help
people deal with welfare reform is
holding a special Christmas Day of
Action later this month.
The Welfare Champions are
planning a Day of Action at Newton
Aycliffe Youth Centre on Tuesday
16th December, 10am—2pm.
Welfare Champions will be available
to help answer your questions,
while teas, coffees and mince pies
provided.
TONY BLAIR EXCLUSIVE!
Tony Blair returned to Newton
Ayc