Collinge & Co Heritage
For generations of delighted clients, the Collinge name has meant artistic perfection. A reputation we’re devoted to upholding for generations to come. But how do we measure that perfection? We measure it in how people feel. The perfect haircut and colour makes you feel great. The perfect salon experience lifts someone’s day. The perfect conditioner sparks a steady stream of compliments. The perfect training gives a sixteen-year-old a flying start. Hair is our passion. But people are why we’re here. And, like everything we do, we will always care about that.
Collinge & Co is a fourth-generation family-owned hairdressing business. “Collinges” was opened by Molly & Wilfred Collinge in 1940 in West Derby, a suburb of Liverpool. Their son, Peter followed in their footsteps training to become a hairdresser in the 1940s, honing his skills on the transatlantic luxury-liner, the Mauretania, and going on to win hairdressing competitions throughout the 1950s. The first Peter Collinge salon opened in 1954, with more salons opening in Merseyside in the 1960s, plus the Peter Collinge Hair Study Centre to keep salon stylists up to date with trends and techniques.
Andrew Collinge, Peter's son, started hairdressing in 1974, completing his training in London at Michaeljohn, and becoming their Artistic Director in 1980. After moving back to the North West, the first Andrew Collinge salon opened in Heswall, Wirral, in 1985. In the 1990s, Andrew twice won British Hairdresser of the year, launched a range of hair-care products, and along with his wife Liz was a fixture on “This Morning” carrying out transformational makeovers. This success and national recognition it brought, saw the company rebranded as Andrew Collinge in 1993.
Throughout the years, many loyal and talented people have worked with the company, together, with our loyal clients, this has been the foundation of our longevity and family spirit.
In 2023, to recognise this community within our salons and training centre, our name became Collinge & Co.
Today there are four Collinge & Co Salons, a Graduates salon, a Training School and hair care range.
Our Story
-
1940
The Journey Begins...
Wilfred and Molly Collinge open Collinge’s on Muirhead Avenue, West Derby, Liverpool. Until then, Wilfred had worked away at sea as a ships barber, sailing regularly out of Liverpool. -
1954
The first Peter Collinge salon opened on Church Street, Liverpool. Wilfred and Molly’s son, Peter started his career as a hairdresser in the beauty salon on the flagship Cunard liner, the Mauritania. Sailing regularly to New York, he honed his skills attending to the ladies of high society. On returning to land and after a successful spell as a competition hairdresser, he opened his first salon. -
1969
In the 1960s the group expanded. Including this stunning city centre salon in the newly built St John’s Centre, Liverpool. -
1974
Hazel Collinge recognised the importance of delivering exceptional hairdressing training and in this year, the Hair Study Centre was founded. Today the company trains apprentices in the North West region and is a leading Hairdressing Training Provider in the UK. -
1985
Having trained with his father, Andrew then went on to work at the top London salon, MichaelJohn and later returned to the North West with his wife Liz. They opened the first Andrew Collinge salon in Heswall, Wirral, in 1985. -
1990s
The profile of the Collinge name grew significantly in this decade with Andrew and Liz becoming the resident Hair and Make up team on ITV’s new show This Morning, Andrew winning British Hairdresser of the Year in 1993 and 1997, and both launching product ranges. -
2009
We have pioneered the idea of a stand alone salon, where newly qualified stylists can work and develop their skills, which has proved to be a great success. The latest Graduate salon opened on Bold street in 2009. -
2010
Andrew Collinge Training is awarded Beacon Status from Ofsted. Peter’s daughter Sarah Collinge was for many years responsible for the running of the Training Division of the company. -
2018
Andrew Collinge Hairdressing was awarded a Princess Royal Training Award for its commitment to excellence in training and skills development. -
2019
We are proud of our association with Selfridges. There has been an Andrew Collinge salon in the Selfridges, Trafford store for over 20 years. In 2019 the salon relocated to the heart of the Beauty floor. -
2023 & beyond
The next chapter...
The company is now under the direction of Charlie Collinge. He along with all at Collinge & Co look forward to the future.
