Blackpool Crowned Beauty and Self-care Capital of the UK

The amusement-filled seaside town of Blackpool has been crowned beauty and self-care capital of the UK. This is due to the record number of beauty salons it has, compared to the population.

• A new study reveals that Blackpool boasts the highest concentration of beauty salons in the UK, with 428 per 100k residents 

• Bournemouth and Glasgow follow closely behind – while Gateshead is last 

• The study also highlights surprising beauty hotspots beyond major cities, such as Chelmsford, Worthing, and Preston 

New data released by beauty and wellness marketplace Fresha reveals that Blackpool is the nation’s beauty hub, as it boasts more salons than any other part of the UK.  

The study counted the number of beauty salons – including hair, nails, skin and tanning services – across all UK areas with a population of at least 100,000 – and scaled this against local populations to get a salon count per 100k local residents.   

When scaled against the local population, Blackpool is home to an impressive 428 beauty salons per 100,000 residents (100k) – including 403 hair salons, 109 nail salons, and 51 tanning studios, which also makes it the tanning capital of the UK. 

But Blackpool is not alone in its love for pampering and self-care. Bournemouth, the popular resort town on the southern coast of England, is second with 393 beauty salons per 100k residents. This is 80% above the national average (218.2 salons per 100k).  

Bournemouth also has the highest concentration of hair removal clinics, with 58 in the city, suggesting locals take their personal grooming seriously. 

But what about the biggest cities in the UK? It’s interesting to note that major cities like London, Birmingham and Leeds didn’t make it into the top ten beauty hubs.  

This could suggest a trend of smaller towns and coastal cities placing more importance on beauty and self-care, as there’s greater availability despite less demand.  

Areas of the UK with the most beauty salons per 100k residents 

The findings also highlight the UK cities with the fewest beauty salons – therefore, the areas that may be the lowest-maintenance or that are the least interested in paying for beauty services.  

At the very bottom of the list is Gateshead, with only 40 beauty salons per 100k residents—less than one-tenth of the number in Blackpool, and 82% below the UK average (218.2 per 100k).  

After Gateshead is Swansea, with just 77 beauty salons for every 100k residents. This is less than half the national average of 218.2 (64% lower). Residents of Swansea forego hair removal, with only one waxing salon in the entire city.  

In third is Oldham in Greater Manchester. Despite its proximity to one of the UK’s largest and most diverse cities, Oldham only has 93.5 salons per 100k residents.  

Areas of the UK with the fewest beauty salons per 100k residents 

A spokesperson for Fresha commented on the findings: “It’s fascinating to see the differences in beauty salon availability across the UK – especially in major cities where there is a reputation for communities placing greater importance on beauty treatments. For the areas with a low concentration of salons, it could be an opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to fill a market gap. 

“On the other hand, those in areas with a high concentration of salons, like Blackpool or Glasgow, face stiff competition but can be reassured by the high demand for beauty services in these hotspots. These may prove profitable areas for budding makeup artists and hairstylists to practice their trade. 

“The data also shows that some cities have a higher demand for specific beauty services, such as tanning in Derry. These insights can help beauty salon owners make more informed business decisions on the services they offer.”