HAIR salon owner Carl Cooper was ‘thrilled to bits’ by surprise celebrations which awaited him when he arrived for work yesterday.

Staff had decorated Coopers Family Hair Centre in Lydyett Lane, Barnton to mark the 25th anniversary of the business.

There were party balloons and large ‘25’ balloons in the window, and champagne and cake was offered to customers throughout the day.

The celebrations also featured photographs from when the salon first opened, provided by Carl’s mum Pauline.

Staff had the chance to spring the surprise on Carl by decorating the salon the day before the anniversary, when he was working at his other salon in Weaverham.

“I didn’t know they had decorated the salon, and it was a lovely surprise,” said Carl, who will be 46 on June 3.

“I don’t like a fuss, but I was thrilled to bits, and will be taking the staff out for a meal.

“I would also like to thank all my clients for their support over the last 25 years.”

Staff member Stephanie Hatton, who organised the surprise, said: “I thought it would be quite nice to do something to mark the anniversary.

“Carl works at the Weaverham salon on a Wednesday, so it was the perfect opportunity for us to decorate the shop.”

Carl’s mum still works for the salon, behind the scenes, and salon client Laura Green from Winnington was thanked for the sponge cakes she made for the celebrations.

Carl was praised by long-standing client, Olive Fowles, 82, from Barnton, who has been coming to the salon since it opened.

“Carl has a lot of elderly customers like myself, and he is so good with them,” she said.

“He knows everyone, and it’s home from home at the salon. Carl is very chatty and friendly, and makes you feel at home.”

Olive nominated Carl for a Service with a Smile award, which he won about 15 years ago.

Carl also owns a salon in Northwich Road, Weaverham, and his staff team consists of Stephanie Hatton, Josie Flynn, Hayley Yeadon, Rachel Walsh, Cassie Harris, Natalie Bradburn and Stephanie Vaughan.