The growing popularity of tanning salons in the UK has led Indigo Sun, the country’s biggest chain, to open its fifth outlet in Yorkshire. Doncaster is the latest location to receive the hi-tech salon, a £350,000 investment, adding to the company’s Yorkshire-based workforce, which now stands at 48.
Situated at the White Rose Retail Centre, the new venue has created eight new job opportunities and complements the existing Yorkshire portfolio, which includes two salons in Leeds (Pudsey and Seacroft), as well as others in Huddersfield and York. The demand for tanning services in Yorkshire has led Indigo Sun to cater to 20,000 regular customers, with an average annual spend of £500 each on treatments.
Frank Taylor, the founder and CEO of the family firm, hopes the latest opening will further accommodate the booming demand from tanning enthusiasts.
He said: “We are seeing the popularity of tanning salons grow across the UK, and Yorkshire is a particular hotspot for us.
“People here want to look and feel their best, particularly during the holiday season, which means there is a real enthusiasm for safe, healthy, tanning options.
“It’s important for us to meet this demand, so we are really pleased to have landed such an ideal location to give customers even greater choice.”
To facilitate its expansion, Indigo Sun has carefully selected locations on busy routes and retail parks with convenient stop-and-shop facilities. The White Rose Retail Centre, with free parking for up to 20 vehicles, including electric vehicle charging points, perfectly aligns with the company’s expansion strategy.
The new salon in Doncaster spans 1460sq ft and features an upmarket beach club aesthetic. It is equipped with eight hi-tech tanning beds, with plans to install three more in the coming months. Frank highlighted that modern sunbeds now come with advanced features like Bluetooth connectivity, air conditioning, and sensitivity settings for various skin types.
Indigo Sun’s growth strategy aims to open 10 new outlets annually, focusing on towns or population centres with at least 100,000 people. In larger cities, the company plans to create clusters of salons for more efficient management. With its headquarters in Stirling, the company currently operates over 100 tanning venues across the UK and employs 950 people.
Founder Frank is a strong advocate for safe tanning and supports The Sunbed Association, an industry organisation dedicated to combating misinformation about tanning salons and indoor tanning equipment. The company reported impressive financial results in its latest financial year, with a turnover exceeding £26m and a profit of almost £5.6m. The end of the lockdown saw a surge in customer numbers, with Indigo Sun serving up to 140,000 people a week during peak periods in 2022.
Looking ahead, Indigo Sun plans to continue its investment in Yorkshire, with a sixth salon in Bradford expected to open by the end of the year. With its focus on customer convenience, quality equipment, and safe tanning practices, the company aims to maintain its strong presence and growth in the region.
