Russell Eaton brings decades of family hairdressing to Albion Street, Leeds

Few hairdressing names in Yorkshire carry quite the weight of Russell Eaton. The business has been cutting and styling for more than four decades, and its Leeds salon is now settled into a new city centre home on Albion Street.

The story began in Barnsley in 1978, when Russell Eaton opened his first salon above Rita Britton's Pollyanna store. The business later moved to Wellington Street and then to Shambles Street, growing into bigger premises over the following years and celebrating 40 years in business in 2018.

Leeds became the second chapter. The firm opened a salon on Boar Lane, which became a familiar part of the city's hairdressing scene. According to a 2024 HJI report, the team had been in its prime Boar Lane spot for around 15 years when the lease came to an end, and at the end of 2023 the salon moved to Albion Street.

The business is very much a family affair. Robert Eaton, Russell's son, is the creative director and joined the business as an apprentice. His sister Isobel is also a hairdresser, keeping the craft firmly in the family.

Robert's own reputation has helped put the salons on the national map. In 2019 he was named British Hairdresser of the Year, often described as the Oscars of the hair world. The Yorkshire Post noted that he was only one of three Yorkshire winners of the title.

That kind of recognition can make a salon feel out of reach, but the heart of the business has always been its regular clients. A good haircut is a personal thing, and a family firm that has looked after the same customers for years knows the value of trust as much as technique.

The move to Albion Street gave the team a chance to create a new home for the Leeds salon, with the same approach that has carried the brand since the late 1970s. It is a nice example of a long-established business choosing to reinvest in the city rather than simply stand still.

If you are looking for a new hairdresser or fancy treating yourself to a fresh look, the Russell Eaton salon on Albion Street is an easy stop in the city centre. Appointments can be booked with the salon directly.