A town centre salon has been recognised for being a cut above after receiving a five-star rating from a leading industry guide.

The Place Hair and Beauty, which is based in Market Place, has been given a ‘5 Star Hair and Beauty Salon and Barbers’ by the Good Salon Guide – the highest rating the guide bestows.

There are a number of criteria that a salon has to meet, including the training and qualifications achieved by the staff and management.

The number of years of management experience the owner or manager has, is also taken into account.

Owner of The Place Hair and Beauty Abi Quigley started as an apprentice.The Bolton News: Owner of The Place Hair and Beauty Abi QuigleyOwner of The Place Hair and Beauty Abi Quigley (Image: Public)

Abi started her career after school and did an apprenticeship with a private college and worked at a salon in Atherton for several years before pursuing her dreams to work on cruise ships.

She said: "And then I went to Dubai to work my way up to manage a salon.

"After 8 and half years in Dubai and the way the economy was, my family and I came back to Bolton and I have always wanted to start a salon of my own and now is the time. We have only just opened and got our first recognition from good salon guide as being 5*."

A salon with a five-star rating, such as The Place Hair and Beauty, will have more staff with higher qualifications and more experienced managers.

The Bolton News: Inside the highly rated salonInside the highly rated salon (Image: Public)

Other considered criteria include customer service and hygiene and health and safety.

Ms Quigley said: “Being a member of the Good Salon Guide shows we are a fantastic salon in every way.

“It’s great not only for our clients, but for our team to know the salon has reached such high standards. It makes us all very excited about the future of our salon.”

The Place Hair and Beauty offers a wide range of services, including male and female and children's hairdressing, eyelashes, threading, makeup, massages, nails and waxing.

Gareth Penn, Managing Director of the Good Salon Guide, said: “I am delighted that The Place Hair and Beauty has succeeded in reaching the standards required to become a member of the Good Salon Guide.

“Being in the guide means a salon is among the best in the country which undoubtedly attracts new business and makes existing clients feel good.

“For salon owners, membership brings a whole host of free services including business advice, the chance to feature in our magazines and online media as well as great offers.”