119
5%
Market Overview
119 hair salons compete for business in Plymouth — a city of 260,000 residents. That's a moderately crowded market with reasonable room to operate, though not without pressure. The bigger story is what's happening (or not happening) online. Only 6 salons — roughly 5% — have a website. That's a striking gap. In a city where customers increasingly search before booking, the vast majority of Plymouth salons are essentially invisible to anyone who doesn't already walk past their door.
The salons that do have a web presence — March Hair, Ugby Betty, Mutley Barbers, Toni & Guy, Spoilt Hair Boutique, and Hyde Park Hair Shop — are already ahead of their competitors simply by being findable. Plymouth also has a substantial food and drink scene (143 restaurants, 160 cafés, 30 bars, 158 pubs), meaning high-footfall areas like the city centre and Mutley Plain see heavy daily traffic. For salons positioned near those spots, there's walk-in potential — but also more competition for attention.
Overall, the market is competitive without being saturated to the point of being unworkable. The real opportunity isn't in opening another salon on a busy road. It's in claiming digital space that almost nobody else is using.
What Customers in Plymouth Care About
Easy to reach on foot
With 119 salons scattered across the city, most Plymouth customers will choose somewhere close to home or work rather than trekking across town — convenience wins over reputation in many cases.
Good colour work, not just cuts
Plymouth's strong student population and younger demographic mean colour services like balayage, highlights, and fashion colours are a major draw, and customers judge salons heavily on their colour results.
Saturday appointments available
Weekend slots book up fast across the city, so salons that offer extended Saturday hours or let customers book online have a clear advantage over those relying on phone calls during working hours.
Real results, not stock photos
Customers want to see actual work from local clients — photos of real cuts and colours done in Plymouth — before they commit to a new stylist, especially when there are over a hundred alternatives.
Fair prices without cutting corners
Plymouth customers are price-conscious but not cheap — they're looking for reliable quality at sensible rates, and they'll stay loyal to a salon that delivers value without the premium pricing you'd find in bigger cities.
Hair Salons operating in Plymouth
A sample of real hair salons in this area. Want ratings, reviews, and exactly where you rank against them? Run a free report on your business.
| Business | Type |
|---|---|
| The Mens Room | Hairdresser |
| The Ladies Locker | Hairdresser |
| Mr Perkins | Hairdresser |
| Studio 28 | Hairdresser |
| SSIK Hair Studio | Hairdresser |
| headways unisex Salon | Hairdresser |
| Loose Ends Hair and Beauty | Hairdresser |
| Sharon's Hair & Beauty | Hairdresser |
| Peverell Barbers | Hairdresser |
| Salon X | Hairdresser |
| Wispy Styler | Hairdresser |
| Dapper Chaps | Hairdresser |
Business listings from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Tips for Hair Salons Owners in Plymouth
Get a website — you're in the minority
Only 6 out of 119 salons in Plymouth have a website. That means 113 of your competitors aren't showing up when someone searches 'hair salon near me.' Even a basic site with your services, prices, and a booking link puts you ahead of roughly 95% of the local market. This is the single biggest gap to exploit.
Position yourself near the foot traffic
Plymouth's city centre, Mutley Plain, and the Barbican sit alongside 589 food and drink businesses — restaurants, cafés, pubs, and bars that pull people onto the streets daily. If your salon is near any of these, make the most of it with clear signage, window displays, and visible pricing to convert passers-by into walk-ins.
Build loyalty, not just bookings
With 119 salons to choose from, Plymouth customers have options. A simple loyalty card or a rebooking discount turns a one-off visitor into a regular who stops shopping around. Retaining an existing client is far cheaper than winning a new one in a market this competitive.
Competition Snapshot
Plymouth has 119 hair salons serving 260,000 people — competitive, but workable. The real imbalance is digital: just 5% have a website, so the online space is wide open. Most salons are relying entirely on walk-ins and word of mouth. The high street is fairly crowded with general salons and barbers, but there's room for specialists — textured hair, premium colour, men's grooming. Standing out here means being visible online and offering something that the 113 salons without websites simply can't match.
Other Industries in Plymouth
Hair Salons in Other Cities
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