This week saw the arrival of retail guru Mary Portas in Rochdale to save an ailing hairdressers salon. This intervention was not a minute too soon for owner John Peers, the 80's hairdressing legend whose business was facing the chop with debts of £40,000!
Due to our increased love of supermarkets the nation's independent retailers need Mary's help more than ever. This also highlights the importance of buying local, which thebestofrochdale are currently supporting in an ongoing campaign. Mary believes that times may be tougher than ever, but if small business owners are willing and able to adapt they can still thrive.
John's business was one of many hit by the recession, with Rochdale being one of the worst affected towns. The John Peers Hair Salon was once a trend-setter but was outshone by his former apprentices who set up shop just around the corner.
Mary believed that John still had what it takes to win the salon war, enlisting the help of the fashion crowd to get things moving forwards. She took immediate action by taking him into Harper's Bazaar and slashing his prices, turning his salon into the hair equivalent of fast value fashion.
The episode is currently on BBC iPlayer.
To find out more about the Buy Local Campaign please click here
