MUCH like the changing hairstyles people have sported over the last few decades, Trowbridge salon M’dam and M’sieur has gone through a vast array of changes since it opened on June 19, 1978.

Edward and Patricia Graver, and their daughter Sally Gough, opened the salon to the public almost 40 years ago in Church Street and during that time many staff have come and go, it has changed its focus from perming to colouring and it has moved premises too.

Despite being a builder by trade, Mr Graver was key in getting the business off the ground.

Fast forward 40 years on and it is still a family affair as the now owner, Sally, works alongside her daughter, Shelley Moodie and sister, Tracy Allsop.

“We started off as a family business and we still are just that. That is very important to me,” said Sally.

“I worked as a stylist and my mum was the receptionist. When we got busier we took on more staff. In the 1980’s, 1990’s and in the 2000’s, we had to deal with some recessions, but we made it through all right.”

A few years after opening, the business opened up a second salon in Mary Port Street in Devizes, but it didn’t work out the way the family had hoped so it closed down in 1986.

“It was difficult juggling both of them but today we are in a healthy position with 12 staff in our Fore Street home,” she said.

That move took place in 2009, when Sally decided to leave the salon’s original home in Church Street, which unfortunately had a beer keg thrown through the window in the 1980’s, to the more lively and central Fore Street.

“For me it is a move that paid off. We have a bigger home here and we are continuing to expand which is encouraging,” said Sally, who still works full time there.

“We have customers coming back here who came here from the very beginning. We are proud of the service we provide.

“I want to thank everyone who has helped us on our journey. Here is to another 40 years.”

The staff and some clients are having a celebration next month to mark M’dam and M’sieur’s 40th birthday.