126
6%
Market Overview
Preston has 126 hair salons competing for a city population of around 140,000. That's a crowded market — one of the most densely packed service sectors in the area. For context, the city also has 217 fast food outlets and 122 pubs, but hair salons outnumber restaurants (70), cafes (94), and bars (31). Competition for footfall on the high street and in local parades is fierce.
The standout opportunity here is digital visibility. Only 8 out of 126 salons — just 6% — have a website. That means 118 businesses are relying entirely on word of mouth, walk-ins, or social media to attract new customers. The businesses that do have an online presence include established names like Toni & Guy and Steve Ryding alongside independents such as The Prestige Barber Shop, Cutting Crew, and Be Beautiful. These are the salons most likely to capture customers who start their search online — and that number grows every year.
For any new or existing salon owner, the maths is straightforward: the market is saturated with providers, but nearly invisible online. Standing out doesn't require a bigger salon or cheaper prices. It requires being findable. With 94% of competitors lacking even a basic website, a modest digital presence offers a disproportionate advantage in Preston's hair salon market.
What Customers in Preston Care About
Parking near the salon
Preston's city centre has limited on-street parking, so salons near car parks or with dedicated spaces have a clear edge for customers driving in from surrounding areas like Fulwood, Ribbleton, or Lea.
Walk-in availability
With 126 salons in the area, customers know they have options. Many will walk out and try the next place rather than wait if there's no clear indication of wait times.
Cutting and styling together
Families and couples often look for a single salon that handles both barber cuts and longer styling, saving a trip to separate businesses across town.
Visible online presence
When 94% of salons have no website, the few that show Google reviews, service menus, and prices online immediately look more professional and trustworthy to new customers.
Nearby shops and cafes
With 94 cafes and 70 restaurants in the area, customers prefer salons where they can combine their appointment with errands or grab a coffee while they wait.
Hair Salons operating in Preston
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 |
|---|---|
| Fallen Angel Hair Lounge | Hairdresser |
| Valerie Lodge | Hairdresser |
| Fullhair | Hairdresser |
| Emma Brown | Hairdresser |
| Dimensions Hair Studio | Hairdresser |
| No 77 Creative Hair | Hairdresser |
| Angie Fairhurst | Hairdresser |
| Haircare | Hairdresser |
| Be Barbered | Hairdresser |
| Debbie Austin | Hairdresser |
| Adore Hair & Beauty | Hairdresser |
| Crown Barbers | Hairdresser |
Business listings from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Tips for Hair Salons Owners in Preston
Get a website — even a basic one
With only 6% of Preston salons online, a simple site with your services, prices, and opening hours puts you ahead of 118 competitors. Add a Google Business Profile while you're at it — it's free and takes an afternoon.
Partner with nearby food and drink spots
Preston has 94 cafes and 31 bars in close proximity. Cross-promote with a neighbouring coffee shop: leave flyers on their counter, they leave discount cards at yours. You both benefit from the shared foot traffic.
Specialise instead of undercutting
With 126 salons, a race to the bottom on pricing will exhaust you. Build a reputation around a specific service — fades, balayage, curly hair, bridal — and charge fairly for it. Salons with websites like Steve Ryding and Be Beautiful have built recognisable names by doing exactly this.
Competition Snapshot
Preston's hair salon market is one of the most crowded local service sectors in the city, with 126 salons serving 140,000 people. That's stiff competition for every walk-in and booking. Fast food outlets are the only nearby business type that outnumbers salons — a sign of how many operators are chasing the same pool of customers. Yet the market is surprisingly underserved digitally. Only 6% of salons have a website, meaning the vast majority are invisible to anyone searching online. That's a wide-open gap. The salons that do stand out — Toni & Guy, Steve Ryding, Cutting Crew — have invested in brand recognition and a web presence. In Preston, visibility is the real differentiator, not price.
Other Industries in Preston
Hair Salons in Other Cities
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