Owner of Mirror Mirror Fair n Tails in Haverhill celebrating 35 years in business

The owner of a Haverhill salon was able to look back over its 35 years of history when the milestone was celebrated at the weekend.

Friends, family and former colleagues gathered on Saturday to mark the anniversary of Mirror Mirror Fair n Tails, in Queen Street (formerly Sonia’s Hair and Beauty).

Owner Sonia Humphrey, who was aware that something would be happening on the day but not exactly what, said it was something of a reunion.

She added: “I didn’t know who was coming but it was lovely, it really was lovely to see everyone and catch up and go through the memories of 35 years.”

The hair and beauty salon was opened by Sonia, 65, on September 6, 1990, originally in Withersfield Road.

She initially shared the shop, then called Perms and Posies, with florist Fiona Pilcher, with Sonia focusing on hair and Fiona on the floristry.

After six months Fiona moved to another premises and Sonia continued alone, taking on her first member of staff in January 1991.

Sonia moved to Queen Street in 1998 and 12 months later expanded the business to include beauty treatments.

The building later underwent a conversion as the business grew and in 2017 it was given its current name.

Looking back, Sonia, who works alongside her daughter Nadine Howard and niece, Alexa Moxon, said: “When you are younger you just do what you want to do. At that age didn’t think, in my head at that point, I will be here in 35 years, but certainly that has happened and that’s good.”

Sonia still works four days one week and three days the next, when her days are made up of longer hours, and with the job still giving her lots of pleasure, has no immediate plans to stop working.

She added: “It would be nice to reach a milestone of 40 years. If I’m healthy we will see what happens.”

Haverhill Mayor, Cllr Quinn Cox, who attended the celebration, said: "It was great to have been invited and share in such a positive occasion for Sonia and her team. A very family oriented business with a real warmth.

"It's also a real positive for Haverhill, demonstrating a business that has thrived as part of the town. I hope they have an amazing future and thank you to all of the team for their hard work, and for being an integral part of the high street."

Sonia thanked her mum Gwen, Nadine, Alexa, former mayor of Haverhill Aldine Horrigan, her staff and everyone else that helped to make Saturday such a success.