Behind the Chair: Michael Rodgers’ Hair Salon

Sep 15

Join writer Cat Cochrane on a journey through the Southside’s many salons and barbers as she gets to know the people behind the chair. In this edition, get to know the duo behind Michael Rogers’ Hair Salon, married couple Michael and Irene, and their son Chris.

*Michael and Irene pose in front of their shop on Victoria Road*

By Cat Cochrane | Photos by Alison Johansson

“Somebody once told me this is the longest running business on Vicky Road” beams Michael Rodgers, owner of the self-titled and much-loved hairdressing salon. “I don’t know how true that is, but the customer was sure of it.”

Along with his wife and son – Irene and Chris – Michael is celebrating 40 years in the same location, near the junction with Torrisdale Street. As a tight-knit family of hairdressers, their longevity in times when many longstanding salons have fallen by the wayside says much about their collective skillset and loyal customer base.

Born and bred in Govanhill, Michael reflects on the start of his journey: “I got into hairdressing because I was terrible at joinery and metalwork in school and I didn’t want to get a job as a mechanic or anything because people would make fun of me. I was straight out of school and I had an aunt who had a hairdressers in Govan, so it was suggested I take it up.”

With a faithful client list, including one woman who travels from Dundee, the family salon has a tad of the quirky about it. Behind the shop window, laid out in a three-level glass cabinet is Chris’ array of toy figurines – from Han Solo to a set of Power Rangers. The display attracts collectors and children alike.

On entering the salon, customers are greeted by Lola, the alluring mannequin who has been a feature for many years. With a regular change of clothes and wigs, Irene admits some of their young male clientele can’t help but ask to have a photo taken with her.

After years in the business, Michael and Irene have seen it all. “I’ve met a lot of famous hairdressers and the only one I regret never meeting was Vidal Sassoon,” Michael says. Irene reminisces of being a model at all the big hairdressing shows in the days when they were held in legendary city centre venues like the Locarno Ballroom.

Michael and Irene could fill a book with their own anecdotes. They speak with genuine fondness for their regular customers over the years, along with the highs and lows of training new starts. “I had a junior 40 years ago,” Michael laughs. “Back then, they were in for a week and I’d be regretting employing them, so I would let them go because they were hopeless or cheeky. But one of the ones I fired came in 20 years later and said, ‘I used to work for you and I loved it!’ They were only here for a bloody week or so.”

The salon has also had its pick of famous customers including actor Peter Mullen and Fergus Ewing MSP. Scottish rock sensations Biffy Clyro once hired out the salon to shoot promo shots, leaving a bottle of tequila as a special thanks.

Speaking of the successful dynamic that’s held together for over half a century, Irene says: “It’s always been a very interesting job, you meet such lovely people. You meet one or two that aren’t, but there’s ways of dealing with that in the salon”. Nodding at Michael she adds: “He tends to be sharp and loses the rag sometimes, but I’m the calm one.”

Clearly every day in the salon is different, filled with little random moments, as Michael shares: “About a week ago I was doing a regular customer’s hair and this woman walked in. She says ‘are you still here? I've been everywhere but you’re the best bob cutter I’ve ever had.’ And my customer sat in the chair was killing herself laughing when I said, ‘Aye that might be true, but she’s walked out and never even made an appointment.’”

Still going strong in the fortieth year with his name above the door, Michael reflects: “I’m very fortunate that I do something for a living that I really like… all I worry about is surviving as a business and giving customers good haircuts.”