Two Wiltshire hairdressers have set up shop together by opening a new salon after 20 years of friendship.

Laura Hatala and Katie Rake first trained in hairdressing together over 20 years ago and have now moved their business Halo Bespoke Hair Studio into the former home of No. 3 Hair Salon, on Snuff Street in Devizes.

The salon had previously been the home of Christopher Wrigglesworth, who recently retired after serving the town for 40 years, but now has new inhabitants.

The duo opened their new salon for the first time on Tuesday, September 12, after moving from their previous premises in The Ginnel, which has now closed.

Ms Hatala told this paper she was excited to continue growing the business after moving into their new home.

She said: “We’re excited, we went into partnership in The Ginnel last year and have quickly outgrown that.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Halo Bespoke Hair Studio in Snuff Street, DevizesHalo Bespoke Hair Studio in Snuff Street, Devizes (Image: Newsquest)“We’re so chuffed because we just wanted to set up a space for us to work in but the rest of the team has just come to us so we must be doing something right.

“It wouldn’t be the kind of thing we could do on our own so it’s nice to do together, we bounce off each other and it just seems to work.”

She and Ms Rake worked together for 15 years before going their separate ways and then teaming up again to found Halo Bespoke Hair Studio.

Since opening the salon in 2022, the hairdressing duo have enjoyed award winning success.

In June they were crowned the Best New Lifestyle Startup in Wiltshire by Muddy Stilettos, as well as coming second in the Best Hair Salon category.

Reacting to the news, the pair said: “We could never have planned the year that we’ve had, it has been one hell of a journey and the next leg is going to be even better still.”

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Halo Bespoke Hair Studio in Snuff Street, DevizesHalo Bespoke Hair Studio in Snuff Street, Devizes (Image: Newsquest)Since getting the keys a month ago, they have been working hard to completely revamp and redecorate the premises.

Ms Hatala added: “It’s completely different, there’s new floor, new décor, everything is completely new.”

The business has also taken on several members of staff that used to work in No. 3 when it was run by Mr Wrigglesworth and will begin with a team of eight workers.

As well as standard cuts, they will offer extensions, keratin blow drys and a barber.