Ellesmere Port salon celebrates new two-storey location

Over 200 guests gathered to mark the opening of The Boutique Atelier’s new two-storey location at the Ellesmere Port venue.

Clients, friends, industry guests and members of the community attended the event on Sunday, August 30 at the new salon in South Pier Road.

The opening marks a new chapter for The Boutique Atelier, which this year celebrated 19 years in business.

After 11 years at its former home on Underwood Drive, the move has allowed salon owner and internationally recognised hairdresser Richard Phillipart to significantly expand the services the business can offer.

Richard said: “Seeing over 200 people come through the doors was incredible.

“There were clients who have supported us since the beginning alongside friends, family, industry guests and new faces discovering the salon for the first time.”

“After 19 years in business and 11 years at Underwood Drive, this move represents far more than a change of address.

“We have created a salon that reflects everything we believe modern hairdressing can and should be – creative, highly skilled, innovative and genuinely inclusive.”

The new salon is set over two storeys. (Image: The Boutique Atelier)

The new venue is split across two floors, with the ground floor dedicated to luxury cutting, colouring and styling, while the first floor provides private facilities for hair loss and hair replacement services, including mesh integration, custom-made wigs, hair toppers and personalised hair systems.

Innovative mirrorless hairdressing stations are being introduced for hair loss clients, allowing systems to be removed and maintained without clients having to sit in front of a mirror throughout what can be an emotional process.

The private facilities will also allow the salon to expand its services for women who wear hijab or other religious head coverings, including dedicated female-only days.

The salon has a stylish new interior. (Image: The Boutique Atelier)

Inclusivity has long been central to The Boutique Atelier.

The salon was the first in Cheshire and North Wales to be recognised by Strands For Trans as a Transgender Safe Space Hair Salon and was among the early salons in the UK to introduce a gender-neutral service menu, guided by its philosophy: ‘Hair has no gender.’

The relocation also represents a continued investment in Ellesmere Port, bringing a thriving independent business into one of the town’s most historic settings.

Richard began hairdressing at the age of 13 and opened his first Ellesmere Port salon at 22.

Richard Phillipart, founder of The Boutique Atelier. (Image: The Boutique Atelier)

His career has since taken him around the world, appearing at more than 60 international Fashion Week runway shows in cities including London, Paris, Milan and New York.

Recently, Richard and his backstage team travelled to Miami for the Fifa World Cup where he designed the hair looks for the Kidsuper fashion show which saw models walk a runway down the middle of the football pitch at the Inter Miami stadium.

The salon also operates an industry recognised extensive apprenticeship and education programme that enrols new apprentices each summer.

Many of the hairdressers Richard has mentored and trained over the years have gone on to win awards and work backstage at fashion shows, celebrity events and even been the faces of professional product launches.

Richard added: “My work has taken me all over the world, but Ellesmere Port is home.

“This is where I started my hairdressing journey, opened my first salon, and where generations of clients have supported us.”

“To see the new salon filled with people on Sunday was a moment I’ll never forget.

“It was a celebration of everything we have achieved over the past 19 years, but more than anything, it felt like the beginning of an exciting new chapter.”