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Newcastle entrepreneur invests in expanding Gosforth-based children’s retail concept

Gosforth-based Pikku, a children’s hairdressing salon, has this week undergone a refurbishment, improving both its service base and facilities.

Pikku is the brainchild of a Newcastle mum of two, Minna Scaife, who wanted to create and offer something totally unique for all the parents in Newcastle.

The new look includes new separate sections for older girls and boys complete with upgraded salon chairs and Nintendo DS games.

Minna said: “Although Pikku has only been open for a relatively short time, listening to feedback from parents is extremely important to us.

“We do listen, and as a result, we are also making Pikku Hair more welcoming for older children, so families can find everything they need in terms of hairdressing in one place”.

Pikku also has an exclusive children’s clothing store on the ground floor selling brands which are not available to purchase elsewhere in Newcastle. Also holding a variety of hair styling courses, the business is expanding its target market to adults as well as children.

Initially launched with a business loan from PNE, Minna has completed the recent works through self funded means.

She explained: “It cost me around £1k this time around, as I invested £20k in total refurbishment of the premises before I opened up. As we have only been open since October, the property was still in good condition so just needed some more tweaking to be more suited to my customer base.

The mumtrepreneur is also looking to expand her workforce by recruiting an additional hairdresser due to greater service demand.

Minna added: “For one, word of mouth and customer recommendations are the key. And as we provide a really unique and high quality service to families, we have had a really great response from our clients.

“We even have parents who travel 1 hour to our shop to have their childrens haircuts with us as the children are so afraid of having their haircuts but at Pikku they are happy. What more can you want?”

Minna’s long term vision for the business is to hopefully open another shop within Newcastle this year and then more out of the region in years to come. “I want to make Pikku a national brand,” said Minna.

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