​Blushes has expanded its chain with the opening of a salon in Cirencester.

It is the third salon run by the company owned by brothers Mark and Darrell Blake.

They have invested £150,000 in the premises in The Forum in the heart of the town centre and will employ 10 staff.

Darrell Blake said it was a challenge to open in the existing economic climate but he is convinced it is the right move for the company.

“We haven’t made this decision lightly. We have listened to our clients who constantly ask us when are we going to Cirencester,” said Darrell. “We are going there because of them and we believe there is a demand in the community for the high level of service we provide.”

The brothers launched the business almost 25 years ago with just seven chairs and five staff in a salon.

“We knew that, to set ourselves apart from others, we had to offer a service that was second to none,” said Mark. “That has been at the heart of all we do from the beginning.” Renowned for excellence in client care and making ultimate hair care affordable, the company has steadily grown.

It now has salons in Cirencester, Gloucester and Cheltenham, employing more than 100 staff and with an annual turnover of more than £2 million.

Both of the brothers continue to work in the salons as stylists. They have won countless awards and have been asked to take part in fashion shoots for top magazines including Vogue, Stella and Wallpaper.

“Our new salon in Cirencester will have 12 chairs, which is smaller than our others, but it will still have the same buzz and offer the same unrivalled standard of care,” said Darrell. “Is there ever a right time to open a business? We are market leaders in the county and felt it was a good time to grow our brand.”

The company was shortlisted in the Your People category of the Citizen and Echo Business Awards in 2009.