ELITE Scottish barber Sovereign Grooming has opened a major new salon in Glasgow.
The business – led by Best Barber UK winner Kyle Ross – has opened across three floors of a prime city centre property on Renfield Street.
It will offer luxury hair and beard services on the ground floor, with a new barber academy occupying the basement. The first floor will serve as the group’s HQ.
The deal represents a £500,000 investment by the firm and is its third Scottish salon
Sovereign aims to train 600 barbers over the next decade to counter a covid-related staffing crisis. Students at the new Sovereign Academy will enter into a full-time intensive training course spanning 15 weeks, where they will work towards achieving an SVQ Level 2 in barbering.
The hair and grooming industry is facing chronic shortage of new talent and The National Hair and Beauty Federation believes the number of new stylists qualifying has dropped by 50% due to coronavirus.
Acclaimed barber Mr Ross, who together with investor and marketing expert Ryan Crighton also has salons on Union Street in Aberdeen and New Waverley in Edinburgh, said the business wants to help people “make up for lost time”.
He said: “The industry was facing a skills crisis before Covid, and this has been exacerbated by the extended shutdowns the sector has experienced since April 2020.”
“Scotland’s salons need a fresh injection of talent as soon as possible and we can deliver the equivalent of an apprenticeship, condensed into an intense 15-week full-time course.”
“Over and above barbering qualifications, students will also develop the skills that make Sovereign barbers that little bit different, including photo shoots, session styling, stage presenting and much more.”
“Our goal is to give our graduates the perfect platform to sling-shot themselves into this incredible industry.”
Mr Ross – who is also a two-time winner of Scottish Barber of the Year – will personally oversee the training and wants to develop “the best young talent in male grooming”.
The Glasgow salon is Sovereign’s second new outlet in 11 months.
In April, the ambitious business added to its original Aberdeen salon when it opened a flagship store in Edinburgh’s New Waverley development off the Royal Mile, creating 10 new jobs in what was a six-figure investment.
The business has received a fresh round of financial backing from its group of investors, led by MB Martin & Partners, which specialises in helping high-potential, early-stage companies grow.
Sovereign was advised by CBRE and law firm Aberdein Considine in the Glasgow deal.
