Gregory Couzens - celebrating 30 years in business in Rochdale Town Centre

Gregory Couzens award-winning hair salon in The Walk

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Gregory Couzens award-winning hair salon in The Walk is celebrating 30 years in business.

The salon, owned by Greg Couzens, a finalist in the Hairdresser of the Year competition three times, first opened its doors in 1983.

Greg, who trained as a hairdresser at hairdressing legend Vidal Sassoon, says the early years were tough.

The salon really became successful after the recession of the late eighties ended and those good times continued until Greg took his eye off the ball with a foray into local politics.

With the politics now in the past, Greg has got back to concentrating on his salon with the result that the business is building on its previous success.

Fellow local independent traders have paid tribute to Greg's longevity and his role as an "ambassador" for retailers in Rochdale.

Mike Moore, of Pennine Photographic, said: "Greg Couzens has been a great ambassador for retailing in the town."

Ian Sandiford, of Sandifords, said: "We have traded in Rochdale for over 43 years and seen many changes but Greg Couzens is one of the survivors celebrating 30 years in business and we are pleased to know him."

Louise Butterworth, of Butterworth Bros Jewellers, added: "I congratulate Greg on 30 years trading in Rochdale, it is a magnificent achievement, particularly in a town with falling footfall, and I hope he can do another 30 years."

MP for Rochdale, Simon Danczuk said: "Greg doesn't look old enough to have done 30 years in Rochdale Town Centre but congratulations to him. A long serving member of the business community in this town, he has made a real contribution to the town centre and long may his business prosper."

Greg is the guest speaker at a Business Networking Event on Tuesday 14 May from 5pm to 7pm at Rochdale Library where he will talk about how he has survived three recessions and progressed to retailing his own product range.