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Introducing The Palms – a new centre for black beauty, entrepreneurship and creativity
PECKHAM, THE diverse and creative heart of south east London, will become home to the UKs first purpose-built centre for Afro hair and beauty start-ups. The Palms, which will officially open its doors in December 2018, is the newly designed, dedicated home to hair and beauty stylists, beauty and lifestyle products as well as a bar and café.
The project will be the new home of some of Peckham’s best-known and much-loved Afro hair and beauty stylists, including some who have been moved from Blenheim Grove as part of the redevelopment of the Peckham Rye station area into a public square.
The services offered at The Palms will aim to meet the hair and beauty needs of customers who are seeking the professional skills and very specialist hair techniques embedded in African and Caribbean heritage. In addition, it will offer nail bars, make-up and beauty services as well as fashion, beauty products, a bar and café offering Caribbean fusion treats, creative cocktails and a social space all under one roof in a welcoming environment in the centre of Peckham.
Now run by Monique Tomlinson, Cyndi Anafo, Hazel Durrant and Paul Smyth, The Palms concept was originally brought to life by Something & Son, who teamed up with Monique, Cyndi and Tree Shepherd to take on the project from Southwark Council.
From the start, their driving ethos at the core of the project has been to put these Afro hair and beauty salons, and the women who run and work in them, at the heart of decisions made about the development and operation of The Palms.
The Palms aims to up the game in terms of ownership of the UK Afro hair industry by taking a positive approach to supporting the progression of Black business women, with ownership of The Palms being opened up to those stylists and small businesses who will be based there as well as its customers, so they too can share in the success of this lucrative industry.
The Palms can be found on Bournemouth Close, off Rye Lane, in Peckham and will be open 7 days a week. To find out more information about The Palms; see the services on offer; check opening times and to book an appointment with any of the salons and hair and beauty technicians go to: www.peckhampalms.com [3]
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