Francesco Group heads south

Stafford-based hairdressing chain the Francesco Group have headed south in credit crunch-defying expansion move.

The famous family-owned brand has bought out Bournemouth-based Scissors Hair Design Group.

The move is part of plans to branch outside the Midlands. The Francesco Group came from humble origins when Italian-born founder Frank Dellicompagni started out as a mobile hairdresser 40 years ago. Now, the franchise chain can boast a salon as far south as Bournemouth.

There are also outlets in Ferndown, New Milton, Westbourne, Winton and Poole, in addition to its existing 30 franchises across the Midlands.

The move was sealed after the Francesco Group formed a new partnership company with the former managing director of Wella UK, Steve Lowe.

The Scissors franchise will continue to operate as a separate subsidiary of Francesco Group and will still trade under the Scissors brand.

Mr Lowe said: "As a major customer of Wella UK, I've worked closely with the team at Francesco Group for over 10 years.

"I know that with the existing infrastructure, resources, energy and enthusiasm that exist within FG, we can't fail to take the Scissors brand from strength to strength."

Francesco Group chairman Peter Dellicompagni said: "We've worked hard to develop Francesco Group over the years.

"However, as we expand, finding good quality salons to add to our portfolio has become more and more challenging, which is why I am delighted with the acquisition of the Scissors Group.

"We are extremely ambitious at FG, we have a great team within the company and we believe that in order to grow we needed to look beyond our traditional heartland in the Midlands."

The Francesco group's franchisees employ a total of 550 people with salons in towns including Cannock, Eccleshall, Lichfield, Rugeley, Stone, Uttoxeter,

Walsall and Wolverhampton.

Its main base remains in Stafford, where it has three salons and two training academies, which recently won it a major award.