They have been styling the hair of Huddersfield folk for 76 years.

But on Saturday, hairdressers at Brier’s cut their last strands.

The salon, at Cross Church Street, has closed blaming changes in the economic climate, say owners Neil Kaye and Renee Brier.

The business, founded in Queen Street by Herbert Brier, moved to King Street, where it was run by Herbert’s son Gordon Brier and his wife Renee.

Brier’s, originally a men’s barber, switched to a unisex salon in the 1970s.

When Gordon died in 1988 the business was taken over by his protege, Neil Kaye, who moved the salon to Cross Church Street in 1994.

Neil, 60, of Linthwaite trained under Gordon, as did many of Huddersfield’s hairdressers.

He will continue to teach trainee hairdressers at Kirklees College and said the job was about much more than cutting hair.

Neil, who has worked at Brier’s since he was 15, said: I’ve enjoyed every moment.

“It’s heart-rending to have to close.

“I did a 91-year-old man’s hair today and he’s been coming for 40 years.

“Naturally we’d like to thank our regular customers and the people that have supported us over the years.

Gordon Brier outside the shop on King Street in the early 1980s
Gordon Brier outside the shop on King Street in the early 1980s

“There’s been so many good memories I can’t pick one out.

“The staff and the customers over the years have been fantastic. That’s the abiding memory.

“It’s all the camaraderie and the meeting people and the job satisfaction.

“I don’t think there’s anything I won’t miss.”

Mr Kaye added: “It’s a profession you do for love, not money. It’s not about doing hair, it’s about the friendship”.