ALTON has seen the opening of Eve Hair and Beauty on Market Square.

Well known in Alton for her haircutting skills, Eve Connor has relocated from her Amery Street premises to the former Alton Craft shop, transformed into an “all in one” salon to

combine all aspects of hair and beauty care.

Not only will the salon breathe new life into the 17th Century, Grade II Listed, timber-framed building, it also addresses Eve’s desire to provide wheelchair-friendly access, all on one level, in order to accommodate clients with mobility issues, in particular students from nearby Treloar School and College.

The salon also provides special rates for seniors and a weekly deal.

Eve is joined in the salon by her team of Debbie Leno, Jade Williams, Harriet Bone and Sarah Jones, who together provide all aspects of hair and beauty treatment.

Eve has lived in Alton most of her life, having moved from London when she was 10.

She attended Eggar’s School in Holybourne, went on to Alton College to study art, and then on to university with a view to becoming an art teacher.

But fate intervened when she was waiting for one of her friends at Basingstoke College of Technology and saw a poster advertising a hairdressing course.

Eve has now been hairdressing in Alton for 10 years, having worked at other salons before opening her own two years ago.

Alton business development manager Julie McLatch said: “Eve is passionate about the town and is keen to support employment projects in the community.

“Her relocation comes at a time when there are concerns about empty units in the town centre but, as reported at the last Alton Town Council meeting, the percentage of vacant retail units has gone down from 15 per cent at the time the neighbourhood plan was researched to 8.3per cent at the end of last year. This was against a national average of 11.1 per cent.”