Picture from Cambridge Evening News 02/01/06
Family business: Jon, centre, is given a send-off by, from left, Alan Iredale, a customer of Jon's since he started, sons Garry and Grant and Geoff Stephens, a customer for just over 40 years.

Scissor king Jon heads off
by Rebecca Attwood - CEN - 02/01/06

HAIRDRESSER Jon Chapman is finally parting company with the business he set up 35 years ago.
The 60-year old, owner of Scruffs hairdressing salon in Mill Road, Cambridge, is retiring after 46 years in the profession.

Now his sons, Garry, 32 and Grant, 34, will be taking charge of the family business, which also involves mum. Marilyn, 56.
Jon for Quy, started hairdressing in Cambridge at the age of 14.

He said: "I've always lived on the country, and I'm not really the tallest of people. All my friends used to work on farms, but I couldn't see over the wheel of the tractor!"

But he was offered a holiday job when chatting to his hairdresser at the now defunct Ken Knight's in East Road, and went on to become an apprentice.
Thirty-five years ago, Jon opened Scruffs - then on Victoria Road - and he hasn't looked back since.

Jon said: "We started off as a gents salon, but in the 1970's, things changed and we changed with it, people wanted cut and blow dries. We always make sure we progress and keep up-to-date. It's just grown from there. I've done 100,000 haircuts in over 40 years so it's about time I got a few right!"

He said he would be sad to leave hairdressing behind, but was looking forward to spending more time on his hobbies of cycling, falconry and table tennis, and he plans to do voluntary work for charity.

Jon said: "Hairdressing recently came out as the top profession for job satisfaction in a survey. We make people feel good about themselves - people look forward to coming to see us. But 60 per cent of our profession is about personality."

He added: "I'd like to say thank you to all our clients for their support -without them we wouldn't be where we are now. And wish my sons the best of luck, they are great lads and great hairdressers. It's a real privelege to have worked with my family."

rebeccaattwood@cambridge-news.co.uk

close window