Bankz to close December 23, ending 33-year Portlaoise salon

Bankz, the Portlaoise hair and beauty salon, will close on Wednesday, December 23, ending a 33-year run and displacing its 13-person team. Owner Barbara Aldritt told staff on the announcement’s morning that the decision was not economic; she turned 60 last year and wants a change of pace after more than 40 years in the industry.

Aldritt said: “I couldn’t give what I used to give to the business,” adding: “I just found it was time. I turned 60 and I think that was the kind of big decision time.” The reported reason is a personal transition, not an economic decision.

Why is Bankz closing?

Aldritt founded the business in 1993 as Precision Hairdressing, starting with herself and one trainee, and rebranded it Bankz in 1996. She moved it to purpose-built premises at Bank Place, opposite the old Prison Officer’s Club, in 2000, and Bankz subsequently became one of the Midlands’ most highly regarded salons.

Bankz employs 13 people now, although its workforce was well above 20 at one stage. Many staff have passed through the business, including young hairdressers who worked there at different stages, giving the salon a long record as a training employer.

What happens to customers and outstanding vouchers?

Bankz has stopped selling vouchers, so customers can no longer create new prepaid balances (money paid in advance for salon services). Outstanding vouchers remain redeemable from now until Christmas.

Staff had already been told that the salon would not open between Christmas and New Year. For regular clients, December 23 is therefore a firm cutoff for unused prepaid services, and any outstanding vouchers must be used before the final trading day.

What happens to the 13 staff?

Aldritt had made the decision for some time but kept it private until she could inform staff and complete the process properly. The 13-person team had worked in a close-knit business, making the closure a personal disruption as well as an employment change.

She compared clients to nearly an extension of her family, citing weddings, grandchildren and other shared life events. The closure therefore ends longstanding client relationships as well as 13 staff positions, although Aldritt believes her contacts can help the team find work.

Aldritt said: “Some girls are with me for 20 years, so that was tough. But that being said, I know they’ll be fine because I have enough contacts around to get them all work. They won’t be out of a job.” The announcement relies on those personal contacts rather than outlining a formal placement programme.

Aldritt has valued training throughout her career, particularly supporting the skills and confidence of the next generation of hairdressers. She thanked present and former staff for their hard work and loyalty, and loyal clients for 33 years of support, while wishing them happiness and success.

What continues after the salon closes?

The closure will not end every Bankz activity. Bankz Wigs will continue under Aldritt, supplying wigs to patients who have lost their hair and keeping a specialist service available after the salon stops trading.

Aldritt will also remain chairperson of Image Skillnet, described as the national body supporting Ireland’s hair, beauty and spa industry, and remain involved with the Irish Hairdressing Apprenticeship. Her industry work therefore continues in governance and training despite the salon closure.

What happens to the Bank Place premises?

Aldritt and her husband, Mick, own the premises and are seeking a tenant for the considerable space at Bank Place. No tenant or replacement business has been named, so the building’s next use remains unsettled.

The final shutdown on December 23 will end a salon that started with Aldritt and one trainee in 1993, grew to a workforce well above 20 and now employs 13. Aldritt called the last day hard and sad but said the business had given her a lot; the next concrete checkpoint is the tenant search for Bank Place, while customers must use outstanding vouchers before closure.