We love a story with a heart, and this one has a great place in our affection. Introducing the tale of Collinge & Co…
The Collinge family play a hefty part in the history of making UK hairdressing renowned at home and internationally. Andrew Collinge is arguably the most famous name in the clan having twice won British Hairdresser of the Year in 1993 and 1997, becoming a hairdresser of choice for many of our Royal family, as well as a celebrity favourite. At Tribu-te Magazine, we will forever recall his epic appearance on the Tribu-te Show in Paris 10 years ago, to demonstrate his one-pin chignon. And then later joining in an Open Chair Night for HairClubLive at the Cavern in Liverpool! So generous, funny and accomplished.
Andrew Collinge for HairClubLive in 2015
Andrew and his wife Liz, herself an acclaimed make-up artist, have presided over salon ventures from Liverpool to London’s Knightsbridge, became familiar faces on ITV ‘This Morning‘ show, and launched a product range for the British high street.But this story doesn’t begin with Andrew or Liz, nor will it end with them.
Andrew and Liz on the set of This Morning
Before him, Andrew’s father Peter was a leading competition hairdresser for Britain, and a guiding force for The Fellowship for British Hairdressing (joining in 1950 and becoming President in 1974). And Peter’s own parents, Wilfred and Molly first opened a salon and barbers called Collinge’s in their native city of Liverpool. A city where the Collinge name is perhaps as famous among locals as other native Liverpudlians!
Stay with us, this is quite a journey to enjoy…
The Collinge story
Having started the salon dynasty when the great grandparents opened Collinge’s in 1940, by 1985 the family business evolved to be known as Andrew Collinge hairdressing group, and today comprises five salons: Castle Street, Liverpool; Bold Street, Liverpool; Heswall, Wirral; Ormskirk, Lancashire; Selfridges Trafford Centre, Manchester. There’s a training division, too, which provides hairdressing apprenticeships to salons throughout the North West. It is all managed by Andrew and Liz’s son, Charlie, and is ushering in a new era with a rebrand to Collinge & Co.
Collinge & Co new branding
Andrew tells us: “We have exciting news to share. We are rebranding and have a beautiful new look flagship salon to celebrate this occasion.Over the past 83 years we have now renamed ourselves four times. Our new name is one I’m very excited about as it’s fits perfectly and will take us into the future.”
Charlie is equally proud: “We’re really excited to start this new chapter as Collinge & Co. We’ve always recognised the important contributions our employees have made to the company and the time feels right for them to also be represented within an inclusive name.
We have changed name and evolved before, but through all the years the teams have always cared about delivering amazing customer service and hairdressing artistry.”
A flagship revealed
A revamp for the brand’s flagship salon
As part of the rebrand, the company’s flagship salon on Liverpool’s Castle Street has undergone a complete revamp. Andrew says; “We have always taken great pride in creating beautiful salons for our clients to visit and for our hairdressing teams to enjoy working in. The new look Collinge & Co flagship salon is a great success in achieving everything we stand for. The decor is warm and inviting, it includes two private salons and with its use of technology, it’s very much a salon of our time.”
Inviting business at Collinge & Co’s flagship
Still very involved with the business, Liz explains: “As a make-up artist, I’ve always enjoyed working with the hairdressing team to create beautiful imagery. The new salon design provides exciting opportunities, with its photogenic backdrops and video wall, we can photograph, film and showcase our creative work, providing content for our website and social platforms.”
In look and in function, the dynamic motivation behind Collinge & Co is embraced in making the business as efficient and accessible online, too. The company has also invested in its digital platforms from PR to booking appointments online.
“Our new website is the starting point for all these conversations, welcoming, friendly and full of news and inspiration,” says Charlie.
A family heritage
For nearly 85 years, the Collinge family is embedded into the body of British hairdressing. A simple time-line tells the story in which we celebrate such achievement, devotion and love for the industry. Long may it continue!
Peter Collinge sign
- 1940: Wilfred and Molly Collinge open Collinge’s on Muirhead Avenue, West Derby, Liverpool.
- 1950: As a successful competition hairdressing Peter Collinge is invited to join the fledgling organisation known as the Fellowship for British Hairdressing
- 1954: The first Peter Collinge salon opens and through the 60s and 70s a chain of Peter Collinge salons appear on high streets in the North West
- 1974: The Peter Collinge Hair Study Centre is founded
Peter and Hazel Collinge
- 1974: Peter is elected President of the Fellowship for British Hairdressing
- 1985: The first Andrew Collinge salon opens in Heswall, Wirral
- 1988: Andrew and Liz appear on ITV’s new daytime show This Morning, staying with the show until 1997
- 1990: Peter Collinge salons are renamed Andrew Collinge
- 1993 & 1997: Andrew Collinge wins British Hairdresser of the year
Andrew wins Hairdresser of the Year in 1993
- 1993: Andrew Collinge Salon Solution hair care products are launched in Boots
- 1996: Andrew is elected President of the Fellowship for British Hairdressing
- 2000: Andrew styles the hair of Sophie Rhys-Jones on the occasion of her marriage to HRH Price Edward
- 2000: Andrew wins AIPP Grand Trophy
- 2008: Andrew and Liz work with Autumn Kelly on the occasion of her marriage to Peter Philips, Queen Elizabeth II’s eldest grandson
- 2009: Andrew Collinge Graduates opens
- 2010: Andrew Collinge Training is awarded Beacon Status from Ofsted
- 2012: Peter Collinge is made an OBE for his services to hairdressing
Peter Collinge OBE with Andrew and Liz to his left, and daughter Sarah on the right
- 2015: Charlie Collinge joins as Managing Director
- 2016: Collinge & Co hair care products launched
- 2018: Andrew Collinge Hairdressing is awarded a Princess Royal Training Award
- 2022: Andrew Collinge Hairdressing is named in the Top 50 SME Apprentice Employers
- 2023: The company is renamed Collinge & Co.
Collinge & Co, Castle St, Liverpool
This journey looks set to continue being at the fore of hairdressing for years to come. Bravo!
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