A TAUNTON business has been named the County Gazette's Hairdresser of the Year 2024.

Altered Images, on 175 Staplegrove Road, is a unisex hair and beauty salon which prides itself on creating a friendly but professional atmosphere.

Julie Way has been owner of the business for around 29 years.

Speaking to the County Gazette, Julie explained what winning the award means for her and her team.

She said: “My team and I are delighted to win this award and we would like to thank everyone for their votes and the County Gazette for creating the opportunity.”

Although the return from the Covid pandemic was difficult for the salon, in recent months the business has “turned a corner”.

Julie said: "The return from Covid was dreadful.

Somerset County Gazette: Altered Images accepts both walk-ins and pre-booked appointments.Altered Images accepts both walk-ins and pre-booked appointments. (Image: Altered Images)

"Everyone has just started living as normal again, people are going to weddings, parties and holidays more frequently.

"My team work hard to get to know our clients and their hair needs.”

Nevertheless, the salon still prides itself on retaining a high standard of professionalism, with Julie adding: "We want to give them (the clients) the best hair they can achieve.

“Amy, Alex and I have a wealth of experience in all your hair needs, we love a colour challenge as well as a regular trim and most importantly we want everyone to leave the salon looking and feeling great.”

The salon, which accepts both walk-ins and pre-booked appointments, offers a wide range of services, keeping up to date with the latest trends.

Expanding on this, the Altered Images' Facebook page reads: "We offer a wide range of services, creating up to-date styles using the latest techniques and products from Wella.

"We have colouring specialists, perming specialists and all offer a wide variety of cutting styles and special occasion hair.

Somerset County Gazette: Altered Images can be found on Staplegrove Road.Altered Images can be found on Staplegrove Road. (Image: NQ staff)

"We cut an array of gents hair styles from traditional barbering to men's scissor cut styles and fashion clipper shapes.

"Children’s haircuts for all ages with stylists who are sympathetic to child and parent experience!

"Our salon atmosphere is of the up most importance to us! We aim to deliver a warm, relaxed and friendly experience whilst you receive a professional and splendid new hair style of your choice!

"Our beauty salon offers a range of beauty treatments including body and face waxing, eyebrow shaping, eyebrow and lash tinting, special occasion make-up, manicure, pedicure and Gel nails."

Julie concluded that she’s looking forward to the next 29 years continuing to offer a professional and personal service whilst passing on her skills to the future hairdressing generations.