A FAMILY-run hairdressers has finished its final cut and passed the business on to a new owner, after 30 years in Wallingford.

Julies, formerly run by Karen Cross, changed its name to AmyJean Unisex Hair and Beauty on Monday when new owner Emma Bound took over.

Mrs Cross’ father Peter Eltham opened the St Mary’s Street salon three decades ago, and named it in honour of a former member of staff's wife. He passed it onto his daughter eight years later.

Since then, Mrs Cross has served the community – from toddlers to a 101-year-old lady.

Formerly owned by her grandparents, Lance and Winifred Edwards, the salon was previously a confectioners, tobacconists, suppliers of dairy products and bookmakers before it became Julies.

Mrs Cross was keen to thank all of her customers and pass on her best wishes to new owner Mrs Bound, who has been described as a pair of ‘safe hands’ for the salon, which was previously just aimed at women.

She added: “Over the years many customers have become very close friends and all the chats at appointment times will be missed. Best wishes to everyone.”

The salon, located between fellow hairdressers Look In and Thames Salon, is ranked sixth on a list compiled by Yelp of the best-rated Wallingford hairdressers.

Town mayor Lee Upcraft commended Mrs Cross for her ‘commitment to years of business in Wallingford’, adding: “We have a large number of independent shops run by dedicated entrepreneurs and business people like Karen that help give the town good community interactions.

“I wish her successor the very best and thank her for continuing to run the business.”

Oxford-born new owner Miss Bound, 40, has been hairdressing for 20 years and specialises in weddings.

She plans to make the salon a mid-range store, with prices staying ‘roughly the same’ for now.

Some hairdressers will stay on in the salon but other staff are wanted on a rent-a-chair basis.

Miss Bound said: “It’s a bit scary but great to look forward to the future and get something good in place for me and the kids.

“This felt like the right time for me – a new beginning.”

The Wantage-based mum of four, who is opening a salon for the first time, continued: “It’s now going to be unisex. I am going to be having a barber come in soon, once I’ve done the redecorating.”

Miss Bound also plans to open a beauty room - including a ‘stand up sun bed’ - this summer, with specialists coming in on a rota to do various types of beauty work.

She is also planning to take a wedding make up course herself.

After serving her first customer on Saturday, she said she was made to ‘feel very welcome’.

The salon will open 9am to 5pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday; 10am to 8pm on Tuesday and Thursday and 9am to 4pm on Saturdays.