What's next for Gorleston after independent business closes?

But can the high street bounce back?

Fusion Hair Consultants has shut after 25 years on the High Street.

Co-director Kevin Huggins cited the changing business landscape of hairdressing - accelerated by the Covid pandemic - and rising utility costs among the reasons he and his wife Tanya decided to call it a day.

Kevin Huggins from Fusion Hair Consultants, Gorleston and chairman of GTA. Picture: Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)Over two decades, the salon had trained more than 100 people. But Mr Huggins said Fusion had lost 19 stylists during the pandemic, with many people opting to work for themselves.

"It gets to the stage where you train people up and they become your competitors," he said.

In 2022, the National Health and Beauty Federation (NHBF) revealed that 62.5pc of people working in the hair and beauty sector were self-employed but did not specify how many hairdressers were working from home.

Fusion Hair Consultants closed for good on October 28 after 25 years on the High Street. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)Emma Jarvis, owner of The Hair Base, said she still believes in the employed model, as employers "get to keep standards high and can offer training, stability and security for staff members". 

"But with higher energy costs and VAT, it is reflected in the cost for the consumer," she said. 

"It can be hard to compete."

Emma Jarvis, owner of The Hair Base and THB Academy. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)The hair and beauty industry has seen a slight rise, with 45pc of businesses making a small or good profit and fewer businesses making a loss, the NHBF's September State of The Industry survey said.

Ms Jarvis said it is sad to see Fusion Hair Consultants close as "the hair industry is the heartbeat of the high street".

"You can’t buy this online," she said. 

The Hair Base on Gorleston High Street. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)"People coming down here to have their hair done will go to other shops, and you don't have that with home salons."

To stay competitive, Ms Jarvis said she has had to be creative by providing online consultations and memberships to help spread costs for customers.

"And once they're here, they can see the area is a huge community," she added. "But it's hard to promote that community feeling with more shops closing by the day."

In the past year, the High Street has seen the withdrawal of Barclay's, Wilko and Fusion. The local branch of Boots will also be closing its doors for good today.

The Gorleston High Street branch of Boots closes on Saturday. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)With the Boots unit opposite his business soon to be empty, Keith's Butchers owner Tony Redpath said the area was a "sad sight".

"There's a lot of empty shops," he said. "Wilko has gone and Boots now leaving will have an effect. 

"We’ve seen it before and we've bounced back. But it will take something big to bounce back this time." 

Tony Redpath, owner of Keith's Butchers. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)Mr Redpath said his business was doing relatively well as "everyone still has to eat".

"But out-of-town retail and online shopping is killing us," he added.

The empty Wilko unit on Gorleston High Street. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)One business which has used online shopping to increase footfall at its bricks and mortar shop is What Is Hip.

Co-owner Richard Routledge said he and his son, Mark, decided to sell items online around three years ago to diversify their business. They are selling retro clothes across the globe and enticing out-of-towners to visit Gorleston for the day.

What is Hip? owners Richard and Mark Routledge. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)"Tourists are still about and they still like to visit shops," he said. "For us down here, the winning factor is the beach. 

"Gorleston is lovely, and I think people enjoy the community feel down the High Street. But the street will miss Kevin at Fusion. He was a big part of that community spirit."

The owner of the High Street's newest business, House of Vintage, said providing unique options for customers could be one way the area could thrive.

Gorleston High Street has seen a few shop closures over the past year. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)Gorleston High Street. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)