The uk's first dedicated afro hair and beauty destination opens – the palms in peckham

Peckham in South East London, will become home to the UK's first purpose-built centre for Afro hair and beauty start-ups. The Palms, which will officially open its doors in December 2018, is the newly designed, dedicated home to hair and beauty stylists, beauty and lifestyle products as well as a bar and café. The project will be the new home of some of Peckham’s best-known and much-loved Afro hair and beauty stylists, including some who have been moved from Blenheim Grove as part of the redevelopment of the Peckham Rye station area into a public square. The services offered at The Palms will aim to meet the hair and beauty needs of customers who are seeking the professional skills and very specialist hair techniques embedded in African and Caribbean heritage. In addition, it will offer nail bars, make-up and beauty services as well as fashion, beauty products, a bar and café offering Caribbean fusion treats, creative cocktails and a social space all under one roof in a welcoming environment in the centre of Peckham. Understanding the importance of the Afro hair and beauty industry in Peckham, The Palms aims to elevate and champion this industry as well as support and empower the women who work in it. The Palms will provide professional, light, purpose-built units for hair and beauty businesses at affordable rates. It will help these businesses grow and develop through regular professional support, helping them to access affordable childcare and collaborative support that will see businesses of similar purpose coming together under one roof, for a unique ‘one-stop’ beauty and social destination. In addition, The Palms signed a 20 year lease this month – ensuring that the black hair industry will thrive in Peckham for years to come. The Palms also aims to address the crucial issue of under represented Black female ownership of the Black hair industry in the UK. Three out of four Directors of the business are Black women, two being local, and the current owners of The Palms, Something & Son, have made a commitment that the organisation will transition to majority Black ownership no later than the fifth anniversary of opening. This will give those who want to see fundamental change in who owns and benefits from the lucrative Afro hair and beauty marketplace in London the chance to invest in and own their local businesses. Once ownership has been transferred, The Palms will be the first hair, beauty and shopping hub in London run by the Black community, where customers can support local Black enterprise. Now run by Monique Tomlinson, Cyndi Anafo, Hazel Durrant and Paul Smyth, The Palms concept was originally brought to life by Something & Son, who teamed up with Monique, Cyndi and Tree Shepherd to win the competitive tender to take on the project from Southwark Council. From the start, their driving ethos at the core of the project has been to put these Afro hair and beauty salons, and the women who run and work in them, at the heart of decisions made about the development and operation of The Palms. The Palms aims to be a go-to destination for anyone who wants to benefit from generations of talent in the art of braiding, weaving, corn rows, bantu knots, Afro puffs, sew-ins, plaits and twists to name a few, as well as nail art and beauty treatments whilst enjoying the vibrant and social environment. The Palms is located on Bournemouth Close in Peckham. To find out more information about the space, see the services on offer and to book an appointment with any of the salons and technicians go to: www.peckhampalms.com