A popular hair salon has closed after more than 30 years of washes, cuts and plenty of perms.

Husband-and-wife duo Stewart and Hannah Beachem hung up their scissors and said goodbye to New Images in Riverview Park, Gravesend, last weekend.

Stewart, 53, started the business when he was 21 in 1990 after his plans to travel to Australia fell through.

He took over the salon in Alma Parade – formerly known as The Looking Glass – where he met Hannah.

She said: "I met Stewart through working at the salon and we have together built up a lovely community business which feels like a family.

"Back in the early 1990s toning tables were in fashion, so Stewart decided to have half the floor as a hair salon and the other for fitness toning tables.

"This helped the hairdressing business immensely, as the ladies coming in on the toning tables started to then get to know us stylists and started booking in for their hair. To this day, we were styling their hair after all these years."

The pair have seen children come in for their first cuts then watched them grow up, get married and have their own little ones who they then bring in for their first styling.

Looking back across hair fashion, Stewart said tram lines – where creative shapes are shaved into the head – were some of the wackiest styles he'd created.

Perms were all the range back when they started, but people now opted for "crazy" colours, especially the younger generation who "like to experiment."

Hannah added: "Under cuts and curtains were very much a fashion phase. I think most of us have a dodgy hair cut photo of our childhood."

The pair decided to shut up shop as their lease was up for renewal. Hannah, 47, said: "We felt the time was right to hang up our scissors after almost 33 years in the industry.

"Covid obviously was a big game changer as the magic of the salon just was not there when we opened back up after the lockdowns.

"Wearing the masks took away the personal touch. We could no longer see the smile on our clients' faces. Nor could they see ours. The only bit of magic that remained was making them feel great with giving them a much-needed hair cut.

"We realised how much a difference we could still make in their lives, which ignited the magic back for us all.

"Many clients have become our friends over the years and will still be now our door is closed. As much as having the business has been rather challenging, it has given us such good memories.

"We have shared in much laughter and tears over the years with our clients and staff but we have all helped and supported each other. We are so thankful to our staff and clients for their loyalty and support.

"And we feel we are leaving on a high after our many years in the business. It was a celebration as we start our new adventure in our book of life."

Hannah will now be pursuing a career as a celebrant while Stewart enjoys some time out of work.

"It will be so nice, not having the pressure of running your own business," said Hannah. "We are both looking forward to our new chapter and having some quality time together.

"Running a business is very hard and it is constantly on your mind."

New Images closed on Saturday.