A QUIRKY Northwich hair salon run by a husband and wife duo will double up as an acoustic music venue.

Tom and Rae Mann, who live in Wincham, opened House of Quirk in High Street on January.

Tom, the former manager at Terence Paul hairdressers in Knutsford, said the couple have aimed to create a ‘niche’ style salon, like something you might find in the Northern Quarter or Camden.

From May, multi-talented Tom will begin hosting bi-monthly acoustic shows and will even play the odd slot himself with his long-time music partner, who also works at the salon.

The proceeds from the gigs will be for charity, with the performers paid in a suitably quirky manner.

Tom said: “We have played music together for many years now so we will open up the odd show, the rest of the slots will be filled with local artists and hand-picked headliners.

“These are ticketed charity events and all artists will be paid in haircuts.”

The first event will take place on May 6.

The couple, who married in 2015, have tried to project their own individuality on the ‘house’. Rae said it is their intention to create a ‘social hub’.

As well as the music shows, Rae is planning to host a selection of none-hairdressing events including gin tasting evenings and vintage parties.

She said: “Most salons that want to be noticed tend to go for the clean, bright, box fresh kind of style, and that works for most, but in our industry we create, we break rules, we love individuality, so why not create a place that is individual to us?

“I am a lover of animals, plants, all things vintage plus gin. Tom loves anything made from wood and is a leather fiend, plus music is his life.

“All that jumbled up into one big place and you get our house.”

For more information call 01606 330879 or email houseofquirksalons.com

Northwich has no shortage of salons and hairdressers, but the happy couple think they will stand out from the crowd.

With the foundations set, Tom and Rae are looking forward to enjoying a bright future in the new era of Northwich.

Rae said: “We moved in to Hartford seven years ago, not knowing anything about Northwich at all really, and fell in love with the town, but saddened by its lack of life, and baffled.

“We got so excited when we found out about the Barons Quay project and we just had to get involved.

“So far it’s been amazing being a part of a simply stunning, small historic town that is growing, and we get to grow with it, hopefully.”