» Blissed up
Five years of fabulous hair at Seven Dials’ favourite salon Bliss
Five years ago, Tracey Scoffin opened Bliss in what was then an up and coming area of the city. Five years on and Seven Dials is one of the city’s most popular destinations for living, eating and shopping. And five years on, Bliss is stronger than ever, a hairdressing destination with a relaxed approach and a strong band of loyal customers.
Back then, Tracey had been working at the popular Cuttlefish salon but felt that her life needed change and challenge. She decide to open her own salon and began the long process of creating her own business. “I was very lucky to have loyal customers back then,” she says. “Some of my customers have been coming to me for 18 years, one comes down regularly from Manchester and another comes back from Spain.
“It’s been hard work and finding the right team has always been the biggest challenge. But now at five years I am really happy that I have the best team ever in place.
“At Bliss we have a strong team spirit and strong ideals. These days the salon is increasingly aware of environmental issues, green energy and recycling. Our image remains constant, the atmosphere and the music is chilled and relaxed. The only change is that we have really grown – in size and in maturity – with a total of over 50 years experience between us, a fact that people seem to like. We do not have a senior stylist pricing structure either which is also popular with our clients. We do have a ‘no children’ policy, we like to keep Bliss as a child-free space as clients really value that special time where they can escape the pressure of family. Clients range from 13 to their 70s but the majority are in their 30s and 40s.
“At Bliss we are more concerned with style than with fleeting trends and fashion fads. We are excellent colourists, and trained in both cutting and hair colour. Most of our appointment times are one hour, double what many stylists will allocate for each customer.”
Asked how she feels about the business as she hit this fifth anniversary, Tracey says: “I am very happy with the business, so much so that I am now taking time to pursue my other great love – art – which I am studying part time.”
Does that put a lot of pressure on you? “Yes, but it’s worthwhile. The art training is influencing the way I cut hair. It works both ways, one influences the other, my cutting has always been very sculptural. My appreciation of colour is also changing.
“Bliss offer a home styling for weddings by special arrangement. We are also involved in running art exhibitions and held a charity exhibition involving Balfour and Varndean schools.”
There’s a refreshing atmosphere at Bliss, there is no apparent chasing of awards, very little hard sell of products – although they do carry an excellent range – and the attitude, while professional, is relaxed and fun, mature but never dull.
Bliss run a model school every week and recruit models for a minimal charge for a cut and colour. Bliss trainees get actual salon experience in the shop as well as training at City College.
The Bliss team is led by Tracey Scoffin and includes Vik Douglas, who has been with the team for four years. Four months ago she had a baby, Theo, but is now back part-time on Thursdays, Fridays and by special arrangement.
Darren Sayers is the newest senior member and was formerly at Saks. A fully trained stylist, he has returned after 18 months travelling the world. Jo Fuller is now coming up to her first anniversary at the salon, Stephanie Appleton has been at Bliss for a year and a half and is in her second year of training and Natasha Hunt is the newest member and a first year trainee.
Darren says: “It makes a refreshing change to work in a salon which allows me to be creative with no strict time boundaries. For example, if a client is booked in for a standard appointment but I get inspired and need to take longer, there is no pressure on me to hurry up. I think our clients understand this and appreciate it.”
Stephanie says:“The best thing for me working at Bliss is the interest and time all the stylists put into my training. I feel confident in all my abilities, especially my creative cutting techniques.”
Jo says: “Bliss has an amazingly relaxed atmosphere compared to other salons I have worked in. The music creates a really creative and positive mood and I think this helps our clients relax so they leave feeling refreshed and looking good.”
Vik says: “Bliss is about individuality and style and I love that about this salon, our clients don’t all end up with the same haircut, we don’t give clients something just because it’s the new trend whether it suits them or not. We are all unique and our work reflects that.”
Natasha says: “I love working at Bliss, I feel like I really fit in, we are all treated equally, I receive lots of help with my training and all our clients are really friendly.”
Bliss, 77 Dyke Road, Brighton, 01273 207400.
Open from 10am Tuesday to Saturday with a late night Wednesday
(last appointment 7.30pm).
Closing at 7pm on Fridays.
