Business · Chippenham
Chippenham salon marks 30 years in heart of community
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
Oasis Hair Studio celebrated three decades of business in Chippenham this week, highlighting a journey of adaptation and deep community ties.
A cornerstone of the Chippenham high street community has reached a significant milestone, as Oasis Hair Studio celebrated its 30th anniversary on Saturday, September 5. The salon, located on Sheldon Road, marked the occasion with a gathering of around 50 people, including long-term clients, friends and staff both past and present.
Owner Vicki Porter, who has led the business since its inception, described the event as an overwhelming experience. The celebration served as a moment of gratitude for the loyal customer base that has sustained the business through three decades of economic and social change.
The business has operated from its current premises at 82 Sheldon Road for 26 years, having moved to the site after outgrowing its original location. In a transformation that reflects the evolving nature of local retail, the building—which was formerly a bakery—was converted into a hair salon that has become a fixture of the area.
Adapting to a changing industry
Ms Porter noted that the path to three decades has not been without significant challenges. She highlighted the Covid-19 pandemic as a particularly testing period, where the physical nature of hair styling required navigating complex new safety protocols. However, she credited these pressures with forcing a necessary reinvention of the salon's business model.
In response to changing industry trends, the studio has shifted towards a more flexible structure. The salon now offers a rent-a-chair model, allowing stylists and therapists to maintain independence while benefiting from the infrastructure and support of an established team environment.
More than just a service
Reflecting on the relationship between the staff and their clients, Ms Porter emphasised that the role of a local salon extends far beyond technical skill. Many clients have been visiting the studio for the duration of its 30-year history, with the salon witnessing the growth of families through multiple generations.
"We know so much about our clients, and in a way we are actually therapy," she said. "We are not just about their hair, it is about the whole mental well-being of the people who come through our doors."
Oasis Hair Studio remains open for business from Tuesday to Saturday, continuing its role in the Chippenham community as it enters its fourth decade.
Source: Wiltshire Times — Chippenham · View original