A Totton beauty salon has become the first in the UK to transition to employee ownership, marking a rare move for the beauty sector and putting the spotlight on co-operative business models.
Tyme4u, a local wellness and beauty business based in Totton, Southampton, has officially become the country’s first beauty salon to be run as an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). The change, announced on 7 August 2025, means that all profits will now be shared equally among Tyme4u’s team members, so every treatment booked directly benefits the therapist providing it.
At a time when many small businesses are struggling to stay afloat under the Labour governments high-tax economy. Co-Owner Hannah Kirby announced, “We have an incredible team, and becoming employee owned means everyone has a stake in our success. It’s good for our people and good for our clients.”
Tyme4u has served the Totton community since 2009, offers a range of beauty and wellness services for all genders. Specialising in waxing and sugaring hair removal for everyone. The salon is particularly known for its expertise in intimate waxing, from Brazilian and Hollywood styles to tailored male grooming services. The team prides itself on using vegan, cruelty-free, and eco-friendly products, ensuring each visit is not just relaxing but also ethically conscious.
Co-operative businesses—where employees, customers, or community members own and run the company together—have a long and proud history in the UK. The roots go back to the Rochdale Pioneers, a group of weavers in Lancashire who set up the first modern co-op grocery store in 1844. Since then, co-operatives have grown into a global movement, promoting democratic control, profit-sharing, and a focus on people over profit.
The news comes just months after Tyme4u’s owner, Hannah Kirby featured in the Daily Mail after a dispute with New Forest district council over a recycling mix-up that resulted in a £300 fine and threats of legal action over ‘fly tipping’. Another example of bonkers Britain in 2025, where local councils seem to spend time hitting small businesses with financial burdens and bureaucracy instead of helping them flourish.
