A SMALL Waterloo salon has reclaimed pampering rights for men – and is targeting big business with a stress-busting package of holistic therapies and hands-on healing.

NineQ, derived from its L22 9QW postal code, is the brainchild of Paul Anderson and James Cross who both work in the St John’s Road, Waterloo, barber shop that Mr Anderson has managed for his wife Denise since 1993.

They saw the potential for a niche gents styling salon, but lacked the room or the privacy to provide it in the barber’s. So early last year they began converting a former cobbler’s in the adjacent Ferndale Road and opened for business last November in time for the run-up to Christmas.

The stylish appointment-only salon – designed in chic black and grey by Waterloo-based 2008 World Erotic Artist Lee Jones – offers an array of personal treatments from hot towel shaves and facial massage to hair colouring and tinting.

An extension within the premises, set to open soon, will also provide massage, hair removal, waxing and personal fitness facilities in partnership with former Football League referee Brian Tattan who offers holistic treatments such as Indian head, neck and facial massages and reiki.

Mr Anderson, 54, said: “We wanted to do shaves in the barber shop, but there was no privacy, so we wanted a place where customers could have a quality shave and relax, and have other services like hair colouring and treatments.

“Now, Brian can offer holistic therapies, like head massage, but we’re not going to stop there.

“We’re going to move into other things, like hair transplant care and pre- and post-transplant treatments.

“We will also have a personal fitness room, waxing services and hair removal. It is aimed at the part of the market that a barber shop would not normally offer.”

He said customers range in age from a 70-year-old eager for hair colouring, to teenagers.

“It is probably the first time they will have come across anything like a hot towel wet shave,” said Mr Anderson who started work as a 13-year-old Saturday lad.