Discover Capital Hair and Beauty, the UK largest independent trade supplier. Explore its history, products, stores, and why salons trust it every day.

Capital Hair and Beauty: A Complete Guide to the UK Largest Independent Trade Supplier

Walk into almost any hairdressing salon or beauty studio across the United Kingdom and Ireland, and there is a good chance the tools, colour, and equipment on the shelves came from one place: Capital Hair and Beauty. For decades, this brand has quietly powered the daily work of thousands of stylists, barbers, nail technicians, and beauty therapists.

If you have ever typed capital hair and beauty into a search bar wondering who they are, what they sell, or whether they are worth your trade account, you are in the right place. This guide covers everything: the company story, its most popular product ranges, training courses, store network, competitor comparison, and a full buying guide so you can decide if it fits your salon needs.

What Is Capital Hair and Beauty

Capital Hair and Beauty is a trade only wholesaler that supplies professional hairdressing, beauty, barbering, and nail products across the UK and Ireland. It is not open to the general public in the same way a high street shop is. Instead, it caters specifically to licensed professionals, salon owners, freelance stylists, and beauty colleges.

The company markets itself as the UK largest independent supplier in this space, and with more than 55 stores, that claim is well supported by its footprint alone.

Its product categories include:

• Hair colour, bleach, and developer
• Styling tools such as straighteners, dryers, and clippers
• Barbering supplies including razors and trimmers
• Nail and manicure products
• Salon furniture and equipment
• Consumables like foils, gowns, and towels
• College and student starter kits

The Brand Story: From a Bicycle to 55 Stores

Every strong brand has an origin story, and Capital Hair and Beauty has a genuinely charming one.

Humble Beginnings in Brighton

The company was founded in 1954 by Michael Vans Agnew in Brighton, England. It did not start as a wholesale giant. It began as a small scissor sharpening service called D.E.L. Supplies, with Michael himself making deliveries around town on a push bike.

Growth Through the Decades

Through the 1960s and 70s, the business expanded into self service trade counters in Brighton and Catford. In the 1980s, Michael sons Peter and Hamish joined the company, and the first cash and carry wholesale outlet opened in Hayes, Middlesex. This is when the business officially became known as Capital, reflecting its expansion into London and beyond.

New stores followed steadily across England, and by 1999 the company had established a direct sales team, alongside a refreshed brand identity.

Entering the Digital Age

In 2004, Capital launched its first ecommerce website, a move that was ahead of its time for a trade wholesaler. In 2005, the company began offering formal training courses, adding an education arm to its retail business.

The 2010s brought further milestones: the first Northern Ireland store opened in Derry in 2010, followed shortly by a Dublin location, marking the brand 30th store. A mobile friendly website arrived soon after, and acquisitions of M&S Hair and Beauty Supplies in 2017 and Hairdressing Supplies in 2018 extended the company reach into the north of England and Scotland Capital Hair and Beauty

Today, still family owned and run by Peter and Hamish, Capital operates over 55 stores throughout the UK and Ireland and reports an annual turnover in the tens of millions of pounds.

Mission and Values

Capital Hair and Beauty positions itself around three consistent pillars that show up across its marketing and customer communication:

1. Great customer service for trade professionals
2. A wide, reliable product range at competitive prices
3. Ongoing support through education and training

The company has also leaned into supporting the growing number of self employed, freelance stylists in the industry. Its Freelance Focus campaign, launched after the pandemic, offers practical guidance for professionals navigating self employment, from managing stock to running a mobile beauty business.

Most Popular Products and Services

Capital most popular offerings fall into a few clear categories that keep salons coming back.

Hair Colour and Chemical Products

Professional colour, bleach, developer, and treatment ranges are a core part of the business, stocking major professional brands alongside Capital own label options.

Styling Tools and Equipment

From straighteners and dryers to clippers and trimmers, Capital stocks tools used daily by working stylists and barbers, often with trade only pricing that is not available to the general public.

Salon Furniture

Chairs, basins, trolleys, and workstations round out the offering for salon owners setting up or refurbishing a space.

Training Courses

Capital offers over 50 training courses covering hairdressing, barbering, beauty, and nail techniques. This is a significant differentiator, since it means customers can build skills and buy supplies from the same trusted source.

Online and Mobile Ordering

The Capital ecommerce platform, running for well over a decade, lets trade customers order from a desktop or mobile device, track offers, and manage repeat purchases without visiting a physical store.

Partnerships, Events, and Achievements

Capital regularly runs in store demo days in partnership with well known professional brands. For example, events with The Manicure Company have brought hands on product demonstrations to customers across multiple UK locations, giving staff and customers alike a chance to upskill and try new ranges firsthand.

Key achievements over the years include:

• Growth from a single Brighton counter to more than 55 stores
• Successful acquisition and integration of two competitor businesses
• Over a decade of stable ecommerce operations
• A training division offering more than 50 courses
• Recognition as the UK largest independent trade supplier in its category

Why Customers Choose Capital: Unique Selling Points

So what actually sets Capital apart from other suppliers? A few things stand out.

• Trade only focus: Because it serves professionals exclusively, pricing and product selection are tailored to salon needs rather than general consumers.
• Nationwide physical presence: With stores across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland, customers can see and test products in person, not just online.
• Education built in: Few suppliers combine retail with a genuine training arm covering more than 50 courses.
• Family ownership: Still run by the founder family, which many long term customers cite as a reason for consistent, personal service.
• Freelancer support: Dedicated resources for the growing number of self employed beauty professionals.

Real World Use Cases

Understanding how different customers actually use Capital helps illustrate its value.

A newly qualified hairdresser starting a mobile styling business might use Capital for a starter kit of tools, a trade account for ongoing colour supplies, and a short business focused course from the Freelance Focus programme.

A salon owner opening a second location might turn to Capital for furniture, bulk consumable orders, and staff training on new colour techniques being launched that season.

A beauty college might set up a standing order for student kits each term, relying on consistent stock availability across the academic year.

Industry Insights and Statistics

The UK hair and beauty industry remains one of the country largest personal care sectors, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs across salons, barbershops, and freelance professionals. A few relevant points worth knowing:

• The rise of self employment in the beauty sector has been well documented since the pandemic, with more professionals choosing freelance or mobile work over traditional salon employment.
• Trade wholesalers that combine physical stores with ecommerce tend to retain customers better than online only suppliers, since professionals often want to see colour swatches or test tools before buying.
• Company filings show Capital reporting a turnover of around 54 million pounds in a recent financial year, with hundreds of employees across its store network, reflecting the scale of its operations within this niche but essential industry.

Capital Hair and Beauty vs Competitors

Here is how Capital compares against two other well known names in the UK professional beauty supply space.

Feature	Capital Hair and Beauty	Sally Salon Services	Salons Direct
Founded	1954	1960s	2000s
Store network	55 plus UK and Ireland	Widespread UK stores	Mainly online
Trade only access	Yes	Yes	Mixed
Training courses	50 plus courses	Limited	Minimal
Ownership	Family owned	Corporate group	Independent
Ecommerce	Yes, since 2004	Yes	Yes, online focused
Ireland presence	Yes	Limited	Limited

This comparison shows Capital strongest advantages are its long history, in house training, and physical store footprint across both the UK and Ireland, while competitors like Salons Direct lean more heavily into an online first model.

Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Supplier for Your Salon

If you are deciding whether Capital Hair and Beauty is the right supplier for your business, consider the following steps.

1. Check your eligibility: Confirm you qualify for a trade account, since access is generally restricted to licensed professionals and salon businesses.
2. Compare product ranges: Look at whether Capital stocks the specific colour or tool brands your salon already uses.
3. Visit a local store: If you have a Capital location nearby, visiting in person lets you test tools and see colour shades before committing to bulk orders.
4. Ask about training: If you or your staff need upskilling, check the current course calendar for relevant sessions.
5. Compare pricing across suppliers: Request quotes from Capital and at least one competitor to ensure you are getting fair trade pricing.
6. Review delivery and ordering options: Decide whether in store pickup, online ordering, or a mix works best for your workflow.
7. Sign up for offers: Joining the mailing list can provide access to VAT free sales and seasonal promotions.

Expert Tips for Getting the Most Value

• Buy consumables like foils, towels, and gowns in bulk during VAT free sale periods to reduce ongoing costs.
• Pair a new tool purchase with a related training course to maximise the return on both.
• Freelancers should take advantage of the Freelance Focus resources rather than trying to figure out business logistics alone.
• Compare own label ranges against premium brands for everyday consumables, since quality is often comparable at a lower price point.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Capital Hair and Beauty open to the public?

No. It operates as a trade only wholesaler, meaning access is generally limited to licensed hairdressers, beauty therapists, barbers, nail technicians, and salon businesses rather than everyday consumers.

How many stores does Capital Hair and Beauty have?

The company operates more than 55 stores across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland.

When was Capital Hair and Beauty founded?

It was founded in 1954 in Brighton, England, originally as a small scissor sharpening service.

Does Capital Hair and Beauty offer training courses?

Yes. The company offers over 50 training courses covering hairdressing, barbering, beauty, and nail techniques, in addition to its retail and wholesale operations.

Can I order from Capital Hair and Beauty online?

Yes. The company has offered ecommerce ordering since 2004 and later launched a mobile friendly platform, allowing trade customers to order from a desktop or mobile device.

Who owns Capital Hair and Beauty?

The company remains family owned, run by Peter and Hamish Vans Agnew, sons of founder Michael Vans Agnew.

How does Capital Hair and Beauty compare to Sally Salon Services?

Both are long established, trade only suppliers with large UK store networks. Capital differentiates itself with a stronger training course offering and a notable presence in Ireland alongside the UK.

Final Thoughts and Next Steps

From a single bicycle delivery route in 1954 Brighton to a network of more than 55 stores across the UK and Ireland, Capital Hair and Beauty has built its reputation on consistency, trade focused service, and genuine investment in the professionals it serves. Its combination of retail supply, ecommerce convenience, and a robust training programme makes it a rare all in one resource for anyone working in hairdressing, barbering, beauty, or nail care.

If you run a salon, work freelance, or are studying toward a career in this industry, it is worth setting up a trade account, visiting your nearest store, or browsing current course listings to see how Capital Hair and Beauty can support your next step. Explore their offers, compare a few products against your current supplier, and decide for yourself whether this decades old, family run business deserves a place in your daily toolkit.