Tony hangs up scissors after 40 years

Leading stylist hangs up scissors after 40 years

One of Lancashire’s best-known hair salon bosses has announced he is hanging up his scissors next year.

Tony Winder surprised guests at Antony and Patricia’s 40th anniversary party when he announced that he is taking a step back from the cutting edge at his Rawtenstall salon in February next year.

Tony’s final day snipping hair will be Saturday 6th February – the day before he celebrates his 63rd birthday. On his last morning in the salon he will be auctioning his final 10 haircuts to the highest bidders, and all the proceeds will be donated to charity.

Says Tony: “I want to do something memorable on my last day on the shop floor, to celebrate the success I’ve enjoyed. Although I’m expecting to get quite emotional, I’m hoping it will be enjoyable and we can raise some vital funds for a local charity.

“In the past 40 years I have worked with some great people and built up valuable friendships with many of my customers. Hairdressing has been in my family for so long, my late sister Margaret ran her own salon in Haslingden and worked with me for a few years, and my step-daughter Dominique is a senior stylist at Toni & Guy in Manchester so I’m sure I’ll find it tough when I’m faced with my last customer in the chair.

“Although I won’t be cutting hair I will continue to manage the business side of the salon with Manageress Tracy Collinge.”

Tony, who opened the Bank Street salon when he was just 22, adds: “I’m lucky that I have such a dedicated team, including Tracy and my wife and business partner Karina, who I know will continue to deliver the service that has made Antony and Patricia such a success since we first opened. Development of our staff has always been a big part of what Antony and Patricia stands for, which is why so many have gone on to become successful elsewhere.”

Over the years, Tony has trained more than 300 hairdressers – including Freddie Cunliffe, owner of fellow Bank Street salon Freddie’s and the late Chris Moffatt, who owned Waterfoot salon Headmasters.

He may be hanging his clippers up, but there’s little chance of Tony putting his feet up since taking on the role of the Valley’s local county councillor earlier this year.

“It has been difficult juggling hairdressing with my political work. Within weeks of being elected I was appointed Chair of the Corporate Parenting Board, It is therefore vitally important that the 1200 children and young people looked after by the council, leave our care with a sense of achievement, looking forward to a future where they will be valued citizens who are economically independent and able to contribute positively to the neighbourhoods and communities in which they live, I am looking forward to having more time to concentrate on meeting and listening to our looked after children.

Antony and Patricia opened the doors to its first home in Newchurch Road, back in 1969, before Tony and then partner Patricia moved the salon to Bank Street, three years later. It has since become a Rawtenstall institution, serving clients across the Valley and from all across the North West.