An Ellesmere Port salon has been crowned as the UK's 'Ultimate Large Salon' at a top national awards ceremony.

The Boutique Atelier continues to lead the hairdressing industry, having earned 10 national nominations this award season.

Salon owner Richard Phillipart recently travelled to London to the grand finals of the Salon Business Awards, where he and his salon were shortlisted for five awards.

At a gala night in Soho with 250 industry icons and peers in attendance, The Boutique Atelier was named as the winner of the 'Ultimate Large Salon' award, the top award of the evening.

This category celebrates salons that lead the industry in marketing, salon design, services, training programmes and business practice, creative output and team development. This is the fifth consecutive year that the Ellesmere Port salon has been shortlisted in the Ultimate Salon award.

Richard said: “I first opened The Boutique aged just 22 and had one ideal in mind, to create the type of salon I've always wanted to work in – where the craft of hairdressing is always put first, skills and passion are developed and championed, and clients can be sure they always receive the very best the industry has to offer.

"Seventeen years later it's fantastic that my vision of salon and commitment to my team's career development continues to be recognised and celebrated by the hairdressing community at large with this latest award.”

Judges took into consideration many factors when awarding the title of Ultimate Large Salon, such as an innovative and forward thinking business model, strong staff training programme, modern and evolving services, original salon design, the quality of hairdressing and client reviews.

The Boutique Atelier's industry leading apprenticeship training program was a key factor in their win alongside the opportunities Richard creates for the team to travel and experience the many facets the hairdressing industry can offer, such as working at Fashion Week or on stage at international trade shows.

The team have also been at photoshoots for leading fashion magazines such as British Vogue, who in 2023 recommended Richard and his Ellesmere Port salon to its readers.

The magazine said: "Best known for leading backstage fashion week hair, Richard Phillipart is a sought-after name when it comes to hairstyling. Whether he’s looking after private clients in his Cheshire-based salon or jet-setting across Europe, he and his team will give you exactly what you want – and more."

As the hairdressing industry award season rolls on, next stop for the Underwood Drive team was the grand final of the L’Oreal Colour Trophy in London, where four of Richard's team was shortlisted for the North West 'Woman’s Colourist of the year' award. Colourists Jill Pritchard, Lucy Hickson, Holly Kershaw and Katie Leather were finalists at the world's longest running live hairdressing competition.

For more information about the Boutique Atelier, visit www.theboutiqueatelier.co.uk