Everyday Inclusivity at Katie Weeds Hair & Beauty Group
“Because great hair should always come with a warm welcome.”
For Katie Weeds Hair & Beauty Group, inclusivity isn’t a marketing slogan, it’s who they are.
From a single salon on Bridge Street over ten years ago to a family of welcoming salons across Belper, Duffield, Ripley, Allestree and Mickleover, one value has always stayed the same:
EVERYONE is welcome.
Pride, Allyship and Visibility
“We hope being on the Pride in Belper Welcome List will show customers how seriously we take inclusion.”
Being part of the Pride in Belper Welcome List is about more than displaying a sticker in the window. For KW Group, it reflects a deep commitment to allyship, standing alongside the LGBTQIA+ community, celebrating diversity, and making inclusion visible.
“It’s easy to assume people know we’re inclusive because it’s natural to us,” said Amy, Group Marketing Director. “But visibility matters. Whether it’s flags, badges, or the way we talk to people, we want everyone to know that they belong here.”
Hairdressing is also seen as a vital form of self-expression. For many LGBTQIA+ people, hair is central to identity, confidence and visibility. The salons take pride in supporting that expression, whether through bold colours, creative cuts, or simply styles that help people feel like themselves.
In fact, boldness is actively celebrated. Laura, Salon Exec, recalled a client who had been coming along for a “safe trim” for several years. Then, out of the blue, that client asked her to create a dramatic new look, affectionately dubbed “the Judi Dench mullet.” It became a symbol of trust, creativity, and the joy of experimenting with identity.
“Hair is a form of identity,” Laura explained. “It can help you feel more yourself, it can help you be seen. And if anyone feels fearful of walking into a salon, we want them to know: here, they will be welcomed and celebrated.”
What Inclusivity Looks Like at KW Group
So what does inclusivity look like in practice? At KW Group, it’s woven into the culture, training, and everyday service.
Amy emphasised that the team recruit not only for skill, but for warmth. “You can teach someone to be a great hairdresser,” she said, “but you can’t teach them to be a nice person.”
The result is a team who lead with empathy and create a safe, friendly atmosphere. Respect for individuality is also central. Simple but powerful steps, like asking someone their pronouns to ensure they are addressed respectfully, are built into the way staff interact. No assumptions, no awkwardness, just genuine respect.
The team also adapt to make sure every client feels comfortable. That might mean seating neurodiverse clients in a quieter space, adjusting lighting and sound, or finding creative ways to accommodate wheelchairs. Whatever the adjustment, the aim is the same: to remove barriers and help people feel at ease.
Above all, KW Group salons have a strong sense of community. Clients are never rushed in and out. Staff take time to listen, explain without jargon, and build trust.
As Laura put it: “We want people to walk in, breathe a sigh of relief, and feel part of a community.”
This mix of kindness, awareness and flexibility means clients don’t just get a haircut, they get a sense of belonging.
Ripley: A New Chapter
The Ripley salon is the newest in the family and, though affectionately described as the “baby” of the group, it is larger and better equipped than many of the others. Open since October 2023, Ripley has quickly become a hub for clients in the area.
Recently, the team welcomed a familiar face into a new role: Laura, previously manager of the busy Belper salon, has moved across to lead Ripley full time.
Amy explained why, “Ripley is still growing, and we wanted to give it the same sense of energy and community that Laura built in Belper. She brings this dynamic spirit, wherever she goes, people follow. She has that gift of making everyone feel welcome.”
Laura herself described her move as an exciting opportunity to shape Ripley into “the place to be.” Her first days there were, as she put it, “very, very different, in a good way,” showing the diversity and potential of the salon.
Supporting Clients Through Illness
Inclusivity at KW Group goes far beyond gender or sexuality. It extends to caring for people whose hair has been affected by illness. Many clients come to the salons during or after chemotherapy, while others experience hair loss through stress, chronic illness, or bereavement.
Rather than treating this as a clinical challenge, the team approach it with compassion and creativity. They provide styles and treatments that help clients feel comfortable again, rebuild confidence, and regain a sense of identity.
As Laura explained, “We want to be a place where people walk in, breathe a sigh of relief, and feel part of a community. That matters even more for clients who have been through the trauma of illness or hair loss. It’s not just about the cut, it’s about helping people feel good about themselves again.”
Vegan, Cruelty-Free Products
Another area where inclusivity shows up is in the products the salons use and sell. Recognising that for many clients, values are just as important as style, KW Group stocks vegan and cruelty- free products from Beauty Works.
Amy noted how rare that can be in the industry, “It’s actually really hard to find vegan and cruelty-free professional hair products, but we’ve made sure we have them available. For some people, it’s a dealbreaker, it’s a part of who they are. And we want to make sure no one feels excluded because of their beliefs.”
This commitment reflects a wider ethos – to meet people where they are, respect their values, and ensure the salon experience aligns with their identity and lifestyle.
A Message to the LGBTQIA+ Community
The message from KW Group to the LGBTQIA+ community in Ripley, and across all their salons, is simple – “You are not just accepted here as a customer. You are welcomed, celebrated, and encouraged to be who you are.”
From their beginnings on Bridge Street to their newest salon in Ripley, KW Group has built its reputation on more than just good hair. It has become a space of welcome, trust, and transformation — whether that’s through a quiet “safe trim” or a bold Judi Dench mullet.
And that is exactly why the business is proud to be on the Pride in Belper Welcome List.
