A new flexible workspace for people in the hair and beauty industry is set to open in Birmingham city centre later this year.
US company Phenix Salon Suites has invested £1.3 million in the new facility at Two Snowhill which it says will offer an alternative to either renting a chair or owning and running a salon.
Launching in September, it will cover 6,400 sq ft and have 33 business units which can be branded by tenants to create their own personalised space.
The Birmingham workspace will include a custom-built mezzanine floor, colour bar, air conditioning in each suite and high-spec finishes.
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Other facilities will include sinks and styling chairs for hairdressers and barbers and storage trolleys and treatment beds for nail artists and beauty therapists.
There will also be a breakout room, kitchen, on-site laundry room and 24/7 access via an intercom system alongside education programmes for tenants and business mentoring for those new to the industry.
The hub does not have long-term contracts in order to give tenants flexibility and encourage start-up entrepreneurs to take space.
It is only the second º£½ÇÊÓƵ site launched by the Californian company after it made its debut in Manchester last summer.
º£½ÇÊÓƵ and Europe managing director John Gillespie said: "Birmingham has a renowned reputation for its vibrant mix of hair, beauty and wellness professionals and we're thrilled to be building on the phenomenal success of our Manchester site and offering something exceptional within this incredible city.
"We understand the challenges hair and beauty professionals face in today's market and the new site will offer more than 30 individuals with a unique opportunity to own and design their space in a professional setting."
Phenix Salon Suites was originally launched by celebrity stylist and beauty expert Gina Rivera in Colorado Springs in 2007. Alongside its two º£½ÇÊÓƵ sites, the company has more than 350 locations in the US.
Its business model mirrors that of flexible offices and workspace which has seen an unstoppable surge in new facilities opening in both Birmingham city centre and surrounding districts in recent years.
Major corporate brands such as Spaces, Regus and WeWork sit alongside a glut of independents offering hotdesking, shared facilities, short-term contracts and pay-as-you-go usage.
They are seen as the antidote to restrictive long-term, fixed contracts with rent reviews and increases.
