Hair and beauty salon in Lancaster marks 60th anniversary with a free prize draw

The friendly team and special guests celebrate the major milestone

It’s spent the last 60 years as a much-loved hair and beauty salon; now, to mark the anniversary, there’s a free prize draw at DF Studio – exclusive in the Lancaster Guardian – plus a series of other giveaways and offers

Six decades ago David Atkinson founded David Frank in Dalton Square, a name that’s been synonymous with hair and beauty excellence in Lancaster, which paying homage to the past turned into DF Studio under the current ownership.

As the longest established hair and beauty salon in the area, it has seen the town’s style-followers through Pixie cuts to Purdies, hippy hair and 80s crimps, big perms to sleek styles. Now, as it marks 60 amazing years at the ‘cutting edge’ of hair design, current owner Jackie Payne and deputy manager Jess Ball are celebrating with the team.

Main prize giveaway

Regular customer Mrs Jeffreys was a guest of honour

The main competition to celebrate the anniversary and legacy is online only, exclusive to Lancaster Guardian readers.

The prize giveaway will offer one lucky reader a colour, cut and blow dry, worth £60, including a free Olaplex treatment and colour by Schwarzkopf, who have been innovating hair colour for over 120 years.

As well as the standard Lancaster Guardian terms and conditions – the winner must be available during week beginning May 22 for their prize, selected stylists only. A skin test will be required 24-48 hours before if you have not had your hair coloured at the salon within the last six months. The colour treatment will cover a half head of foils on longer hair, regrowth, tint and shimmers (no more than 15 foils), or a full head on short hair.

To be in with a chance of winning simply answer this question?

Help them celebrate 60 marvellous years packed full of memories throughout May

When did David Atkinson set up DF Studio?

a – 40 years ago

b – 50 years ago

c – 60 years ago

Save the date to help DF Studio in Lancaster mark 60 years in the hair and beauty business

To enter, click here and fill in your details. The closing date for entries is May 18.

Other offers

Throughout the anniversary month of May DF Studio has a series of other offers and discounts.

Anyone spending £80 or more from May 1 - 26 will receive a free raffle ticket to a prize draw with some amazing prizes – including a £150 voucher to be spent in store, a product hamper or a bottle of fizz and chocolates.

From May 23-26, there’s a lucky dip for every customer for discounts on hair and beauty, plus you can book an Indian Head Massage with a full hour facial for just £65 throughout May.

Recommend a friend during the celebration month and you will both receive 15 per cent off your booking during May. Also, spend over £50 on retail products – the salon has an incredible range of high end products including Elemis and Schwarzkopf – and there’s a bonus £5 on your account from May 23-26.

Each offer can only be used on its own, and is not available in conjunction with any other discount.

History

Reflecting back on the 60 years, Jackie said: “David set up this salon back in 1963 and ran it until we took it over in 2011. David Frank remained next door, which is now Look Fantastic until he retired in 2015. Sadly, he passed away in 2016 but during his time here he was a well respected businessman, hairdresser and chairman of the local Chamber of Commerce.

“The studio was originally known as David Frank, and he expanded it into a mini department store. It was one of Lancaster’s best kept secrets and a real treat for customers

“In fact, one of his first customers was Mrs Jeffreys, and she still comes in twice a week for a shampoo and set. We are lucky to have so many loyal customers. Our clients are of all ages, including ladies, gents and children.”

David Frank, which previously won an Investors in People Award, was also an emporium for handbags and jewellery back in the day, but now focusses on a thriving hair and beauty salon with high end branded retail products featuring Schwarzkopf, Elemis, Neal & Wolf, Olaplex and GHD hair products plus electricals.

Innovation and moving forward

Jess added: “We are really proud of all the history and heritage here, but also our current investment in our team of 15 and our apprenticeship training. We are regularly keeping up-to-date with the latest techniques and training in the salon.

“We will shortly be introducing a specialised wig fitting, to allow us to offer modern styles for people going through cancer treatments and other hair loss conditions.

“Kay Crompton is a Senior Stylist, who is offering Smoothing Keratin Treatments plus all hairdressing treatments We also have beauty rooms offering Beyoo Aesthetics by Victoria Bell, Lashes by Hayley and semi permanent make-up by Kayleigh Winstanley.”

DF Studio in 2023

The hair salon has 10 hairdressers, two beauty therapists and three receptionists, with two large hair salons and four beauty rooms over three floors, and Jackie praised her team, saying: “I couldn’t have done it without my wonderful team behind me. Nette is the longest serving employee of 35 years, and Joanna (David’s daughter) who carried on at the salon up until a few years ago. Tracy our beauty therapist has been with us for 27 years, and most of the others have been loyal employees for a number of years. I am very proud.”

She added: “We’d like to invite old and new customers and staff from over the years to join us on Friday May 26, to enjoy a glass of fizz and some nibbles as we look back over old photos together and share special memories.

“Come along and help us enjoy our 60th anniversary, as we look back on 60 successful years remembering this as the most in place to go in Lancaster.”

Look Fantastic next door (adjoining with the original David Frank) will be supporting the celebration with a store discount of 15% (excluding sale items).

Find out more and book now

Find out more or book a hair of beauty appointment at www.dfstudiohairandbeauty.co.uk. Or call 01524 843 434.