A SOUTH Cumbria salon has proved to be a cut above the rest after winning the title of ‘Best Hair Stylists’ in the county - and will soon head to nationals.

Scissor Sisters Hair Salon in Grange is riding high after their win at the Cumbria Retail Business Awards 2023.

The woman behind Scissor Sisters is Joanne Marwood, 51, who set up on her own about seven and a half years ago.

When the team at Scissor Sisters received a letter saying they had reached the finals, Joanne was shocked.

The team consists of Joanne, Alison who has been with the salon for three years and apprentice Ellery who has been at the shop for two months.

“We were so happy to be invited,” she said, "But we didn’t go with any expectations, we thought we’d just have a nice evening. When we won it was surreal.”

Joanne started pursuing the trade at just 16 years old and attended Kendal College before getting some work experience at a local salon, where she was able to grow as a hairdresser and learn a lot.

After working at a couple of places, Joanne decided to try the mobile trade and moved around the Lake District for the next ten years.

Returning to salon life saw Joanne grow restless and she hopped to several different businesses, unable to settle.

Joanne finally decided that she wanted to run her own place and initially rented a space in Cartmel, where she stayed for five years until her business outgrew it.

While working above the barber’s shop in Cartmel, Joanne decided it was time to set up her own salon and Scissor Sisters was born.

Joanne said she has some amazing clients, many of whom have stayed with her and followed her since she started cutting hair over 30 years ago.

“I love all aspects of hairdressing,” said Joanne. “I can be quite shy so I’m so glad my mum pushed me to do it, I owe her a lot. I feel really blessed and grateful to have clients who nominated the salon for this award.”

Joanne has given her whole life to hairdressing and it has been a huge learning curve for her, so going to the Nationals in November is high praise.

“There will be a lot more competition,” Joanne said. "We’ll see what happens but it’s so nice to be acknowledged and reminded that we do a good job, and it is appreciated.”