A Welcome That Warms the Soul

Seeing Martin Gledhill and his mum, Maureen, welcome their clients really warms the soul.

Like most hairdressers, they know everyone on first name terms and ask about family and holidays. But it’s the little extras at GSIX Hairdressers in Honley, that makes their service so special.

The family run business views many of their clients as life-long friends.

Yes, they can advise on hair and products – and even sell a few gifts (more on that later) – but it’s the welcome and empathy they give their clients, that gives Martin and Maureen the people skills they need to really get to know them.

A Business that Cares

Each hair appointment is given ample time, meaning clients at GSIX Hairdressers and Religious Gifts in Westgate, Honley, are never rushed. They are always made to feel welcome and important.

For less mobile clients, Martin will close his shop at 1:30pm to pick them up and bring them to his salon. And if that becomes too difficult for the client, he will happily take his scissors to them.

“When you’ve been cutting someone’s hair for more than 30 years, you can’t just stop because they can no longer get to you,” said Martin. “I start by picking them up and bringing them into the salon, until the time comes for me to go to them.”

A Christian Ethos

Martin chose to open GSIX Hairdressers in Honley village because he always knew he would never retire.

“My older clients love to call in and if I’m not in the middle of an appointment we’ll pop the kettle on. That’s what village life is all about.”

Family is clearly at the heart of Martin’s business. His partner, Hugo Pineda, is a successful dressmaker with private commissions and teaches at Dewsbury College. He is the hands behind a pair of church mice sitting in the salon and often calls in to chat with clients. The creative duo have styled the salon with flair and supported local businesses with their choice in furnishings.

At the front of the Honley hairdressing salon, you will find a selection of religious gifts for all ages. Whether it’s a snowstorm, a wooden Noah’s Arc or a religious figurine, Christianity is clearly at the heart of the family.

“I’m not a gift shop in the traditional sense,” said Martin. “We already have plenty of gift shops in the village. My gifts are different because they have a religious theme like no other in Honley.”

And when appointments allow, at 9:30am on Wednesdays, you will often find Martin at St Mary’s Church service in Honley.

“As a family we also love to attend their musical events. We always meet with a small group of friends and clients at the salon for drinks beforehand,” said Martin.

A Hairdresser You Can Trust

Martin’s business is very much one-to-one. He meets and greets his clients, and washes, cuts, colours and blow-dries their hair with precision. Clients are men, women, children, babies and families of all ages. His choice product is L’Oréal and he will happily advise on the cheapest place to buy.

Martin doesn’t have a website. He doesn’t even do social media. Instead, his business was built on word-of-mouth referrals, preferring to spend his time on his clients than online.

“My new clients are all by referral,” he said. “It often goes something like this … “Janet has told me to ring you…’. I have clients who were brought to me as a baby for their first haircut, and I am still doing their hair today.

“I don’t block my whole day out with appointments. If I went home rushing through people, then that wouldn’t feel right. Hairdressing is unique in that whatever you start, you finish, and it’s how I treat my clients in that time which is most important to me.”

To find out about other businesses in Honley and to explore village life click here.