A BARRHEAD hair salon has proved it is a cut above the rest by winning a national award.

F&M Hairdressing was the only Scottish winner from 15 categories at this year’s Salon Business Awards, which attract entries from across the UK.

It blew away the competition from five other finalists to be named Best Local Salon.

The firm, which was set up in 2001 by Brian MacMillan, who runs the business side of things, and cutting artist Kevin Finnell, has been trading from its current location in Cross Arthurlie Street for three years.

Brian, 46, told the Barrhead News: “We were in with a lot of really good hairdressers but the judges mentioned our loyalty scheme, which gives customers points for every pound they spend, which is then transferred into money they can cash in at anytime for haircuts, colours or to buy products.

“They also mentioned the fact we had done things for the community, such as giving out sweets at the Hallowe’en parade and sponsoring a local football team.

“To be recognised for our hard work, passion and community spirit means the world to us. It has been a really difficult year, so it has given us a wee glimmer of hope at the end of it.”

The original ceremony had been due to take place at a London hotel and was rescheduled three times as a result of the coronavirus pandemic before it was finally held virtually.

Brian and Kevin watched the ceremony from the salon with some of their nine employees and enjoyed an awards hamper consisting of champagne, cocktail-making kits, decorations and exclusive goodies which had been sent to them by organisers.

As the evening got underway, all attendees were invited onto the awards portal, which allowed them to network with their fellow finalists and industry peers, view the mixologist session for their cocktails and get in the party spirit with live music from world-class saxophonist Brendan Mills.

“There was a panel of judges, including hairdressers such as Errol Douglas, who is quite a big stylist down in London, and we were looking forward to going down there for the ceremony,” said Brian.

“With the current restrictions, that wasn’t going to happen, so it was our first time doing a virtual awards ceremony but it was very well put together.

“We’ve won different awards in the past. With the national ones, we have been finalists for a lot of them, so it was good to be a winner in our own right this time.”