The owner of an Eccles salon has expressed his gratitude after being nominated for International Aesthetic Awards for 2023.

McLaren & Co Barbering, Hair Replacements & Aesthetics are nominated for Best Male Aesthetics of the Year, Aesthetic Practitioner of the Year and International Aesthetics Practitioner of the Year at the International Aesthetic Awards 2023, being held in April 2024 next year.

Owner Ian McLaren said it was an honour to be recognised.

He said: “I was really honoured because to be recognised internationally is a big thing for me.

“It’s nice to know that small local independent businesses get the recognition they deserve just like all the big names and brands.

“It’s nice to know that I’m doing something for Eccles and putting us on the map, as the council and government don’t seem interested in small local businesses especially with the closing shops left, right and centre.”

Ian’s certificates inside of his salon. Photo courtesy of Manuela Sanchez Lopez.

And Ian revealed he heard the news while on a shopping trip.

“I actually found out while shopping at the Marks & Spencer in The Trafford Centre, so I celebrated by treating myself to a YumNut.”

The Eccles man opened the shop in April 2022 after 20 years in the hairdressing and barbering industry.

Having started as an apprentice at 16, Ian built the store from scratch, whilst undertaking additional training and courses in the industry.

Outside of McLaren and Co. Photo courtesy of Manuela Sanchez Lopez.

Ian has also made an effort to create a space for Aesthetics for men as well as women, as he said: “Men have insecurities and body issues too, so it’s nice to know that I can help them with that.”

“It’s a one-stop shop for us as you can get multiple things done such as barbering services, hair replacements, aesthetic treatments and teeth whitening.”

They are nominated for: Best Male Aesthetics of the Year, Aesthetic Practitioner of the Year and International Aesthetics Practitioner of the Year at the International Aesthetic Awards 2023 being held in April 2024 next year.

The salon was also named the Best Barber in the UK, which they received earlier this year at the UK Hair and Beauty Awards.

Ian added: “We have attracted a whole new variety of clientele, people from quite far out now all across Manchester and the North West as well as people from Scotland, Dublin, London and the South East.”

The aesthetics room, completely made by Ian and his husband. Photo courtesy of Ian McLaren.

Ian also wanted to share a message to young people, who he was once like, as he said: “For all the young ones, when I was younger, I had a stammer, had dyslexia and didn’t think I could achieve much. People didn’t expect much from me, including my teachers, but it shows you that if you work hard, put your mind to it and do something you love, surrounded with the right type of people, then you can do whatever you want.”

And he has a message for all his customers from Salford – or elsewhere.

“Thank you to all my customers, I’m really grateful for every single person who stepped through our doors and kept returning as regulars.”

McLaren & Co is open from 9:30am-8pm Tuesday to Friday and 9:30am-2pm on Saturday they take bookings and consultations, walk-ins are welcome too. Located at 26 Church Street, Eccles, M30 0DF next to Eccles Tram, Rail and Bus Station. All information as well as how to contact them is on their Facebook and Instagram pages. Watch out for the awards happening on the 21st of April 2024. 

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