THE sudden departure of a hairdressing boss has led to the birth of two new businesses in Bolton town centre.

The two salons, Headhunters in Great Moor Street and the Cutting Bar in Bridge Street closed suddenly.

But instead of retiring to lick their wounds the two managers of the salons both decided to set up their own separate businesses.

Dharmendra Patel, aged 41, known universally as Noggi, has opened up Noggis at the top of Bank Street while Michelle Dunne, aged 25, set up Blonde on Blonde in Corporation Street.

Both were popular hairdressers who have kept many of their former customers who rallied round when they were left in the lurch.

For Mr Patel it meant an investment of around £30,000 in opening Noggis with a women’s salon on the ground floor, a gent’s barber shop in the basement and a beauty spa planned for the first floor.

As Noggi he has been cutting hair in Bolton for the last 24 years, having originally started his working life as an engineer before switching from working with heavy machinery to using scissors.

He said: “It’s hard work working for yourself but so far I am on track and things are looking good. I am working six days a week and then on Sundays I do the admin.

“I have been very focused looking after my customers and giving them the personal service they have come to expect from me. Luckily I have been assisted by local business consultant Andrew Dickson, who has been overseeing the project for me.”

The salon was officially opened by the Mayor of Bolton Cllr Norman Critchley, who said: “It’s another business for Bolton and I was delighted to support it.”

It was Michelle Dunne’s plumber father Mark Dunne who helped her open up her own business by remortgaging his home and doing most of the refurbishment work himself.

Named after Bob Dylan’s album of the same name, she has a huge wall painting of the veteran singer on one wall.

She said: “My dad spotted this shop and has done all the work himself. It looks great and all my customers have stuck with me through all this.”

Now she is concentrating on building her business after opening up just four weeks ago.

She said: “We are doing well — but it’s early days yet.”