BUSINESSMATTERS

Street Smart

Are you thinking of opening a high street salon? JESS WATTS explores what you need to know before taking your business to town

Queen B Luxury Nail & Beauty Lounge, Croydon.

Nail salons have long been a staple of the high street. If you’re looking to join this community, take Scratch’s quiz to explore whether the business model is suited to you, then read on to discover how to make it a success.

Is a high street salon right for you? Find out by answering the following questions:

1 How well do you know your local market? Is there an opportunity and demand for a high street nail salon?

a) Yes – I have a clear understanding of my local market and how my salon would fit in. Go to Q2

b) I haven’t evaluated my local market in detail. Location and market research are foundations of a successful high street salon. Take the first steps and get to know your local area.

2 Do you have, or are you actively building, a loyal clientele?

a) Yes – I have a strong client base who rebook regularly. Go to Q3

b) Not yet – I’m still building my clientele. A high street business model works best when you have loyal clients to rely on. Focus on growing your client base and personal brand, then revisit this questionnaire.

3 Are you confident in your salon business knowledge, such as admin, finances, marketing and HR?

a) I’m confident in the business side of the role, or I have support in place to help. Go to Q4

b) The admin side feels overwhelming and isn’t something I enjoy. This doesn’t mean a high street salon salon is unsuitable, but you’ll need to invest in business education or support before pursuing.

4 Are you open to building and managing a team?

a) Yes – I enjoy mentoring others and can see myself leading a team. Go to Q5

b) I prefer to work alone. Though it is possible to run a solo high street business, a home salon may better suit your independence.

5 Do you have access to the funds required to open a high street salon?

a) Yes – I have funding or a financial plan in place to cover startup costs and overheads. Go to Q6

b) Not yet. Opening a high street salon without sufficient funds can lead to a short-lived business. Once you have a financial plan in place, retake this quiz.

6 Why do you want to open a high street salon?

a) I want to build something with long-term value. You have the mindset, motivation and foundations in place to make a high street salon work. Read on to discover your next steps.

b) I want a fast way to make money and welcome more clients A high street salon is rarely the quickest route to increased income. If your primary goal is financial growth, focus on maximising your existing setup first; the high street model will still be an option when the time is right.

Location, location, location

The success of a high street salon depends on developing a unique offering in an increasingly competitive market. This requires you to find a location that suits both your brand’s identity and the clients you hope to attract.

“A high street salon gave my business a home, presence and identity,” says Peter Borg, founder of Queen B Luxury Nail & Beauty Lounge in London – Scratch Stars Nail & Beauty Salon of the Year finalist 2026. “I wanted the business to be visible and taken seriously. In this industry, trust is everything.”

Peter Borg

Juanita Huber-Millet, founder of the Townhouse nail salon brand, approaches finding a suitable space with a focus on community and convenience. “Footfall and visibility are key, but we also carefully consider the surrounding customer demographic and neighbouring brands,” she says. “Accessibility is equally important. Nail appointments are often integrated into people’s routines, so being close to transport links, offices or shopping districts makes a significant difference.”

Juanita Huber-Millet

Townhouse’s recognisable branding stands out on the high street.

For salons outside major cities, creating a memorable identity can be even more important. The founders of KHAOS Nail Bar: a Scratch Stars Nail Salon of the Year finalist 2026, share that standing out in the town of Ross-on-Wye meant moving away from a ‘typical salon style’.

KHAOS Nail Bar owners, Georgie, Jess & Niamh.

The pink and sparkly signage of KHAOS Nail Bar is an instant draw for clients.

“We fully leaned into the KHAOS identity: from the bold, colourful décor to our huge sequin statement sign that people often photograph,” say founders, Georgie Hughes, Jess White and Niamh Compton. “It gives the salon personality. In smaller towns especially, creating an experience people want to talk about is so important.”

Interior ideas

Alongside an attractive exterior, a welcoming interior can aid success.

Kate Driscoll

“The physical environment of a salon is really important for client retention,” says Kate Driscoll, owner of Scratch Stars Nail & Beauty Salon of the Year 2025 & finalist for 2026, Kate Lifestyle. “It helps clients to feel comfortable, relaxed and confident in the services they’re receiving, and encourages them to return not just for treatments, but the overall experience.”

Dee McIntosh

“A clean, welcoming and well-presented interior was non-negotiable for me,” says Dee McIntosh, owner of Diamond Dolls Beauty, Scratch Stars Nail & Beauty Salon of the Year finalist 2026. “Since opening, I’ve regularly updated my salon interior to keep up with trends and create a memorable experience for clients.”

The design of Kate Lifestyle, Essex, serves to enhance the client experience.

Lucy Allen, founder of Offbeat Beauty Collective: a Scratch Stars Nail Salon of the Year finalist 2026, has a background in graphic design, which helped when it came to conceptualising the interior of her salon. She says: “The brief I gave myself was that it should feel like visiting a friend’s house: instantly comfortable, with no pressure to look or dress a certain way to feel like you belong. I planned the entire layout using a free floor planning app, which saved a lot of time and expensive mistakes.”

Lucy Allen

The eye-catching interior of Derby’s Diamond Dolls Beauty makes every treatment unforgettable.

Offbeat Beauty Collective, Sheffield, stands out due to its characterful style.

Leases & legalities

As with opening any business, it is important to meet all legal requirements. For high street salons, this includes treatment licensing, insurance and health & safety checks. Additionally, negotiating a commercial lease is an important step in securing a location.

Nhung Pham

As Nhung Pham, co-founder of Tree Nail Spa in Buckinghamshire: a Scratch Stars Nail Salon of the Year finalist 2026, says: “It may not be the glamorous side of the beauty industry, but protecting your clients, staff and business must come first.”

Susan Nguyen, founder of The Nail Group, London – Scratch Stars Nail Salon of the Year 2025 & finalist for 2026, notes: “You need to register with your local council for special treatment licensing, which varies by borough.

Public liability and professional indemnity insurance are non-negotiable, as is employer’s liability the moment ou employ staff.”

Susan Nguyen

Juanita Huber-Millet adds: “We have heavily invested in health & safety procedures, hygiene protocols and training certifications to ensure Townhouse salons operate to consistently high standards.”

“PAT testing, fire safety compliance, risk assessments, music licences and employer responsibilities such as PAYE (HMRC’s Pay As You Earn system) were all important parts of making my salon fully compliant,” shares Dee McIntosh. “I also ensure that staff have the correct qualifications, certifications and ongoing training.”

Regarding commercial leases, Lucy Allen reveals: “These are not like residential leases, and the details matter enormously. Break clauses, dilapidations, permitted use, whether you can sublet space to other professionals, rent review intervals – all of it requires scrutiny. I’d strongly advise anyone going into their first commercial negotiation to involve a solicitor.”

Townhouse, Covent Garden – a Scratch Stars Nail Salon of the Year finalist 2026.

Diamond Dolls Beauty, Derby.

Calculating costs

Opening a salon space involves a lot of hidden fees, which must be included in your budget. “Maintenance and equipment costs were definitely some of the biggest surprises for me,” says Nhung Pham. “In a busy salon with a large team, things regularly get dropped, damaged, worn out or stop working properly. Replacements and repairs can be very expensive and, even with care, happen more often than people think.”

“New salon owners often focus on rent and products, but the real running costs are much wider than that,” says Peter Borg. “A salon can look busy and still not be profitable if pricing and cost control are wrong. A full diary means very little if there is no profit left at the end.”

“I would encourage every salon owner to build a contingency fund into their finances,” says Larissa Hodgins, people programme manager at salon software company, Phorest. “Many businesses struggle in their first six to 12 months, because there’s an expectation that they’ll be busy from day one. Having money set aside gives you breathing space and helps you make better decisions, rather than panic-driven ones.”

Larissa Hodgins

Helen Ward, founder of Sirens City Retreat in County Durham – a Scratch Stars Nail & Beauty Salon of the Year 2026 finalist, reflects on her journey, sharing: “If I was starting my business again, I would make finances my first priority. For example, I would use the savings pots in banking apps to put tax costs away and build a buffer. Unexpected costs will always come up, so having a financial foundation makes all the difference.”

Helen Ward

Management mindset

Salon owners have many responsibilities competing for their attention: from admin and finances to marketing and upkeep. Additionally, most high street salons rely on a dedicated team to keep things running smoothly, which requires owners to step into the role of team manager – something that calls for an entirely different mindset.

“I came into the beauty industry as a business owner and client who knew what kind of experience was missing,” shares Peter Borg. “I quickly learned that treatments are only one aspect of a salon. The operation behind them is what keeps the cogs turning.”

Nhung Pham describes her typical week running Tree Nail Spa: “Mondays and Tuesdays are usually my ‘working on the business’ days. I’ll focus on everything from creative ideas and admin to marketing, recruitment, planning and staff management. From Wednesday to Friday, I’m usually fully booked in the salon with clients. In between appointments, I work closely with my receptionist to check reviews, emails, bookings and resolve anything that needs my attention.”

Helen Ward notes that, for her salon to run successfully, she had to step away from full-time salon work. “I needed to put aside time to explore how to grow the business. A few years ago, I made a deliberate decision to stop doing nail and waxing services. That said, I think it’s important to serve some clients in the salon to stay connected to the work and remember how hard the team grafts.”

Susan Nguyen presents a workshop for The Nail Group staff.

Team building

“Finding skilled, reliable staff members who are loyal and genuinely share the same vision and values as you isn’t easy,” says Nhung Pham. “People often underestimate how difficult it can be to build and maintain a successful business and strong team.”

The Tree Nail Spa team.

“Building a team means being able to teach what you know,” adds Susan Nguyen. “The technical craft is around 40% of running a salon; the rest involves people, systems and leadership. I think of leadership as the quiet art of holding everything together, so that everyone can do their best work.”

The KHAOS Nail Bar team.

“One of the biggest challenges as an employer has been learning that every team member needs managing differently,” say KHAOS Nail Bar owners, Georgie, Jess and Niamh. “When we first opened, we thought being a good employer was simply about creating a fun environment and being approachable, but we quickly realised how much communication, support and responsibility are also necessary.”

Tree Nail Spa, Marlow.

Pricing pointers

Due to the competitive nature of high street salons, many owners struggle to find the right balance when it comes to pricing services. Here’s what successful salon owners recommend...

“Charge your worth and don’t undervalue your business just to compete on price,” says Dee McIntosh. “It’s important to use quality products, maintain high standards and educate clients on why your pricing may be higher than others.”

“Don’t price purely based on competitors,” advises Juanita Huber-Millet. “You need to understand your full costs, including rent, payroll, utilities, products, training and operational overheads. It’s also important not to undervalue your expertise. Customers are increasingly willing to pay more for quality, consistency, hygiene and experience, particularly if they trust the services they’re receiving.”

Kate Driscoll agrees, adding: “Make sure your pricing reflects the quality of the services you offer. It’s important to assess monthly financial reports and fully understand your numbers. Using a good booking and accounting system makes it much easier to track profitability and adjust pricing when needed.”

“If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the admin side of running a business, I’d recommend a virtual assistant to help with tasks that drain you mentally,” says Lucy Allen. “Recognising what depletes you and finding a way to offload it isn’t a luxury; it’s good sense.”