Nicky Oliver

You know how travel agents are always talking about ‘best kept secrets’ when advertising holidays to places we might not have considered? Well… this hair academy is definitely one of Manchester’s best kept secrets. A friend recommended it to me in autumn, and I’m not looking back, no sir.
I had previously come to accept that I was too poor to afford haircuts whilst in Manchester, resigning to a bi-​annual chop when I went home and earned some modest pennies. However, a wash, cut and blow dry here will set you back a mere £6 which is flabbergasting but fabulous. Good bye split ends… hello chic and shiny!
What is the catch? — I hear you ask. Well, patience is a prerequisite. The aforementioned wash, cut and blow dry took no less than three hours. That said, my hair is particularly thick, unruly and rather chaotic. The lucky owners of ‘normal’ hair might only have to sit for two hours or so. This is because it is an academy, so the hairdressers are still learning. Whilst this does not necessarily compromise the quality of cut, it does mean it takes them longer to do what a qualified hairdresser could probably do in half the time.
I’m sincere when I say the quality isn’t reduced. It might have taken three hours, but it was the best cut I’ve ever had. Because they’re still learning… they don’t do anything without approval from their instructor who hovers over their shoulder, watching their every move to make sure they get it right. I kind of felt sorry for my stylist actually — it must be horrible to have someone breathing down your neck like that! But I guess that’s how we learn, eh?
The stylist herself was lovely. Very friendly, and listened to everything I said, and giving it appropriate consideration. She was very keen to make sure she was giving me exactly what I wanted, other than some qualified hairdressers who just get a rough idea of what you want and then do what they’re used to doing.
However I wish I could say the same of the people in charge. There were two instructors, and one of them, Nicky Oliver himself actually, was lovely actually, very friendly and helpful. Yet, the woman, well suffice to say that the term ‘ice queen’ could have been invented specifically for her. She doesn’t treat the clients like customers, more like lab rats, talking over our heads as though we aren’t there, and some of the things she said about me to my stylist were actually very rude, so much so that I felt I had to speak up and explain that even though it was an academy, I was still a paying client and I did not deserve to be treated thus — and this is coming from a girl who hates confrontation!
Another thing: the location is perfect. Smack in the middle of my beloved Oldham Street in the Northern Quarter — ideal for a pre– or post-​shopping trip.
If you love treating yourself and having the whole salon experience, this isn’t for you. But if you just want the job done, this is excellent value for money. Just make sure you have a thick skin.

Popped in having seen the sign for 25% student discount, but managed to wangle my way in as a model for a trainee stylist, and only had to spend £5 on an excellent cut. The trainee was very confident and attentive, checking how she was doing with both me and a qualified stylist.
There was a nice, friendly atmosphere in the salon, and I would definately go back, because the quality was there even in the trainee, and at £5 it was a real bargain.