In a significant development for the UK retail landscape, prominent hair and beauty chain Sally Beauty has confirmed the permanent closure of its Bolton store, located on Deansgate. This marks the second major shutdown for the brand in the United Kingdom within a six-month period, following the closure of its Southampton branch earlier in the year.
A Decade of Service Comes to an End
The Bolton branch ceased trading at 5pm on its final day, concluding over ten years of operation in the area. The closure has left a notable number of loyal customers disappointed and seeking alternative locations for their professional beauty product needs. Sally Beauty, which operates as part of Sally Europe—the world's largest distributor of professional hair and beauty products—has assured customers that they can continue to shop at several nearby branches.
Alternative Shopping Locations Available
The brand has explicitly directed affected shoppers to its other stores in the North West region. These include outlets in Millgate, Rochdale, Wigan, and Manchester. This network is part of Sally Beauty's extensive UK presence, which comprises more than 160 stores situated on high streets and within retail parks across the country.
This recent closure in Bolton follows the shutdown of the brand's store in Sale, Greater Manchester, which occurred last year. The consecutive closures highlight a period of adjustment for the retailer's physical footprint in certain UK markets.
Customer Reaction and Brand History
The announcement has sparked a wave of reaction from the local customer base. One frustrated shopper took to social media to ask, "Where we can find a new store?? I came today because I needed products and it was closed, may I know where are you located now??" Another echoed the sentiment of urgency, stating, "Urgently need products! Please let me know or message me the address. Thank you."
Other responses reflected a more nostalgic and understanding tone. One commenter simply said, "Such a shame," while another noted, "That's such sad news but understandable."
Prior to the Sale closure, the store team shared a heartfelt message on their social media channels, expressing profound gratitude to their customers and staff. The message read: “Our last trading day will be Wednesday 9th October. We just want to take this time to thank all of our amazing customers who have shopped with us over the years, and we are internally grateful for you and the @stanleysquaresale staff and employees who make working here so special." The team also encouraged customers to take advantage of final offers in the weeks leading up to the closure.
A Global Brand with Local Impact
Sally Beauty began its journey as a single standalone store in New Orleans, USA, back in 1964. From these humble beginnings, it has expanded into a vast global network of beauty supply outlets. The closure of established UK stores like those in Bolton and Southampton represents a notable shift in the brand's local strategy, even as it maintains a strong overall presence with hundreds of locations nationwide.
The move underscores the ongoing challenges and transformations within the brick-and-mortar retail sector, particularly for specialised chains operating in competitive markets like beauty and haircare.
