LISTEN: Celebrating 30 years in style at Jo and Cass hair and beauty salon in Lancaster

A hair and beauty salon group renowned for its service, quality and state-of-the-art facilities is set to celebrate 30 years in Lancaster.

Since opening the doors of its first salon on July 30 1996, Jo and Cass has grown into one of the most progressive salon groups in the UK.

Jo and Cass was founded by, and named after, Jo Ireland and Graham Cass.

Graham was previously manager of David Frank hair and beauty salon in Lancaster, where Jo was senior stylist.

In 1996 they decided to set up on their own, opening their first Jo and Cass salon in the former Fleetwood Glass double glazing showroom on King Street.

LISTEN to Graham Cass talking about the history of Jo and Cass

"There was just us two at the very beginning," said Graham.

"By the end of the year we'd grown and we had 12 staff. Julie joined us and still works for us now at our Preston salon.

"A lot of the staff from the very beginning do still work here.

"We then wanted to expand and do something special."

Jo and Graham then bought Sterling House and the former Mains Business Supplies buildings near Dalton Square, opening as Jo and Cass in 2002.

Jo and Cass on Great John Street in Lancaster

Their aim from the start was to give their customers the best in customer service in luxurious, world class surroundings. 

"We were the first salon in the UK to have a lift in it, the first to have Costa Coffee - we had our own little franchise - waterfalls, ipads on the wall..." said Graham.

"It's state of the art and that catapulted us to grow, to 160 staff at the peak of the businesses."

Inside Jo and Cass

Needing more space, they soon branched out to open salons in Morecambe, Preston and Kendal.

Graham says the success of Jo and Cass over 30 years, has been the strength of the team.

"The building's great, but I think the people have made Jo and Cass," he said.

"It's the team pushing the business forward and what the group wants, is what happens.

"I've worked with some of the nicest hairdressers you'd ever wish to meet.

"We have 15 apprentices, they're absolutely amazing, the energy they put in.

"The service, they're passionate about hair, they're constantly being trained, we use the best products, everything about what we do, is high end.

"We have an academy in the salon, with (top hair stylist) Andrew Curtis who comes up and trains our staff. You can't get better."

Jo, Graham and the team at Jo and Cass

Graham also had a special word of thanks for Jo and Cass' customers, some of whom have been going to the salon since they started in 1996.

"We can't thank them enough, what an amazing group of people who have supported us," said Graham.

"You can't beat word of mouth.

"We rely solely on people saying 'go to Jo and Cass because they care, they do ace haircuts, ace consultations and they're trained to help'."

Graham also said "we're not very good at celebrating" but the team are hoping to mark the occasion of 30 years, like everything they do, in style!

"Our 30th birthday is something to celebrate," he said.

"We'll see if we can organise a party!"

For more on Jo and Cass see HERE.

* This feature has been produced in association with Lancaster BID Business Birthdays.