Carol hanging up her scissors after 61 years but still keeping it in family

It will be the end of an era on Friday when much-loved Stourbridge hairdresser Carol Perks hangs up her scissors after a whopping 51 years in which she has very much kept things in the family and will continue to do so.

Plus

By Paul Jenkins

Published Apr 26

An Express & Star pic from 2003 for the salon's 30th anniversary shows Carol with her mother and staff Laura and Roz..

She opened Carol-Anns when she was nearly 18 and will turn 69 in June. It has become a much-loved meeting place in Clifton Street in the Old Quarter, with many customers having been there since the start.

And what has made the business doubly special is the fact her son Jason runs the barber's next door to Carol's shop, and has done as J and R's Gents Stylists for 23 years. He was trained by his father Roger and worked with him before he died, hence the R in the J and R. To add to that, the venue will become a coffee lounge run by Jason's partner Gemma.

Carol Ann Perks 68 is retiring on Friday after 51 years snipping away. She is pictured outside the salon with her son: Jason Hampton who has a barbers next door and her mom: Lily Harris 90, who still helps out at the salon. Jason's partner Gemma will take on the unit and open it as a coffee shop.

Carol had a celebration of the shop on Tuesday when friends, customers and family popped in to wish her well. They included her mother Lily, aged 90. who still helps out at the salon.