A LONG-SERVING hairdresser has hung up her scissors after a final haircut with her first ever client.

Jobi Cheesman, of Jobi & Co, has retired after 51 years in the industry.

The salon keys have now been handed to Mandy MacDonald, formerly a co-owner of several salons under the Sherlocks brand, and Tracey Drynan, who has worked with Jobi for ten years. The pair were both trained by Jobi at the start of their respective careers.

The salon, on Hexham’s Hallstile Bank, played host to Jobi’s clients to wish her well in retirement with balloon displays, drinks and nibbles. The day ended with Jobi cutting one of her first ever clients’ hairs.

“It was a lovely way to finish it for her!” said Mandy. “It was the first ever client and the last client which we thought was quite poignant. This surely is a fantastic story of a very successful and inspirational women.”

New owners Mandy and Tracey plan to hold a launch day in August and are rebranding to Mantra - a blend of their two names.

Mandy added: “We’re in there working now, taking bookings, we’re giving away free olaplex treatments for colour clients just to get some new and old clients back in.

“It was the right time for us all. It’s a bit like a full circle! End of an era but yet for her (Jobi) to know that her clients can come to us. We cut the same, our philosophy is the same, low maintenance hair dressing, it’s just been lovely.

“We feel quite overwhelmed by it! The quirkiness and just the way the salon is, we could never have dreamt we could have had something like this between us. It’s just meant to be!” Jobi & Co was founded in 1990 when Jobi quit her artistic director role at one of Newcastle’s top salons to set up her first salon in Greenside/Ryton. She later opened a salon on Hexham’s Fore Street before relocating to the current premise.