The Workshop Hair & Spa

Good quality Aveda colour, and a warm welcome, but a very disappointing haircut on my most recent visit. A stylist whom I had not met before kept finding stray hairs, and cutting an additional half-​centimetre; or thinking the cut was lopsided, so cutting more from each side. I was left with a haircut at least 4 cm shorter than I had asked for. It will be the length I wanted in two months or so.

I went to The Workshop to have a half head of highlights. I called up beforehand to find out how much it cost. I was asked how long my hair was (just below shoulder level) and was told it would be £68.00 When I arrived, I was asked how many colours I would like. Normally I have 3, so picked 3. I normally have a toner put on afterwards and was told this was fine. I was asked if I would like my hair rough dried or blow dried. I asked for a blowdry. The hairdresser asked me if he could trim the middle inch of my fringe to soften it, so I said yes. When I went to pay it was £167. I was flabbergasted. I was so shocked, and I felt embarrassed to ask why it cost so much. I couldn’t stop thinking about how I had been absolutely fleeced and my friends said I was mad to let it go, so I called up to get a breakdown of the charge. The extras: The third colour, bringing the cost of the highlights to £97.50. The toner was £35 both of which I have never been charged extra for in the decades I have been having my hair coloured. I was charged £35 for the blowdry!!! Isn’t this standard when you get your hair cut or coloured. I was also told that they had done a complimentary fringe trim which completely infuriated me. The hairdresser ASKED if he could do this, and he cut the middle inch of it, which I would hardly class as a fringe trim. I’m surprised they didn’t charge me for the samples they gave me when I left too. At no point in my visit did they explain the things they were asking me if I wanted would be an extra charge. I assumed they were included in the price I was quoted as standard in every other salon I’ve been to. While I’m happy with the job, it’s certainly no better than any other salon I’ve been to and certainly doesn’t justify the extra £100. I’m feel really cross. I really like to try and help local businesses, but unfortunately I feel as though they completely conned me and I won’t be going back.

The customer service is brilliant from the complimentary head massages to the great coffee or large glass of wine in the evening, lovely interior and relaxed atmosphere, all help to make the experience something you will want to repeat. I get my hair cut regularly at the Workshop and I would thoroughly recommend it. With short hair it’s always difficult to find someone who can cut right but with the Workshop I have found someone!

LOVE this place and so impressed with the cut and colour I had done today. Beautifully designed space, friendly professional service. Added bonus: they use Aveda and serve excellent (complimentary) coffee. Highly recommend.