A HAIRDRESSER from Radcliffe is celebrating 50 years of success in the industry.

Barbara Lewis, aged 65, who now runs Panache Hair Design in Water Street, left school with no qualifications to follow her dream.

After leaving Radcliffe Secondary Modern School as a fresh faced 15-year-old, she has gone on to run her own salons.

“I have been a qualified hairdresser for 50 years now and it’s the best job in the world,” she said.

“I have met some great characters over the years and have heard lots of stories, some happy, some sad.

“It’s a privileged position to be in when people put their trust in you like they have done in me.”

After first having a Saturday job at salon Trendsetter in Radcliffe, Barbara worked in several others before going mobile in her late twenties.

After discovering that she was pregnant with her son at the age of 31, and with time more difficult to manage, Barbara took the plunge and set up her first salon, Profile, in Bolton Road.

After moving back and forth to other locations, this is where she remains today.

Barbara, born and bred in Radcliffe, says that she has seen the industry move with the times.

She said: “Hairdressing has changed in lots of ways but at the same time much has remained the same.

“When I first started out aged 15 you could definitely call it ‘hairdressing’ whereas now people just come in for a cut and a comb.

“Lots of people can do most of it themselves now whereas before I would literally do everything.”

Jane Norman was given a job by Barbara aged 19 and has been working alongside her ever since.

Now aged 48, Jane, who lives in Green Bank Road, said: “I went for a job interview at Barbara’s first shop in and have never left.

“She has been such an inspiration, a mentor and a friend to me and five years ago she also gave a job to my daughter Olivia.

“I can’t thank Barbara enough for everything she has done to me, my family and her customers.”

After leaving Radcliffe Secondary Modern School with no qualifications whatsoever, Barbara says that she puts her success down to hard work and respect.

“I think the key is simply to treat people the right way and you get the same back.

“That is why my customers and staff have been loyal to me.

“Lots of them have been with me for years and years and have stuck by me because I know what they like and we have become friends.

“There is a lot to be said for that I think these days I think.”

She concluded: “I am not looking to retire just yet though so it’s business as usual!”