THE owners of a vegan, eco-friendly salon in Prestatyn are celebrating after winning a national award.

Eden Hairdressing, based on Ffordd Ffynnon in Prestatyn, was crowned the most innovative beauty business in the country last week at the Corporate Livewire Wales Prestige Awards 2021-22, which recognises small and medium-sized businesses that have been the best in their market in the last year.

Lee Cox, who opened the salon with Leighton Brown 18 months ago, said he was particularly delighted to win the award given some had initially dismissed their niche idea of a vegan salon.

Lee said: “We were extremely happy and proud to win it. A lot of awards, especially in our industry, are just a popularity contest, so for this to be judges awarding it, that’s what makes it feel better as well, rather than just winning with the most votes.

“We opened the salon three weeks before the original lockdown. Prior to that, we both worked in salons in the high street in Prestatyn. We both had the idea of a vegan salon but a lot of people pooh-poohed it, which made us want to do it more.

“We went from strength to strength; after each lockdown, we came back busier and better.

“We had no expectation of winning it purely because we’d only been open such a small time, being a smallish salon in Prestatyn.

“But they were really impressed with our media and website; one of the things they were most impressed by was the fact that we’ve only been open for 18 months and we were the highest-rated and reviewed salon in the area on Google.

“Everything we have in the salon, from our colour range to our products, are all vegan, eco-friendly and sustainable. When we opened, we were the first to do anything like this (in Prestatyn).

“We’re pretty much fully booked until Christmas; we’re getting a lot new clients and a lot of interest, so we’re doing well – I can’t grumble!”

Rachel Crick, whose business, Cruella Aesthetics, is also based at Eden Hairdressing, added how pleased she was for Lee and Leighton, having been struck by how hard they work since first meeting them about five months ago.

Rachel said: “They’re absolutely fantastic and lovely; they’ve worked so hard to get where they are in a short amount of time and during lockdown.

“They just go above and beyond for the clients; they’ve built up such a good clientele.”

For more information on Eden Hairdressing, visit their website at: www.eden-hairdressing.co.uk.