Key Points
- Sally Beauty on Deansgate, Bolton town centre, will officially shut at 5pm today.
- The store held a huge 75 per cent off sale last week prior to closure.
- The Bolton branch first opened in the heart of Bolton in 2016 as a two-storey beauty superstore.
- It is one of over 160 Sally Beauty stores across UK high streets and retail parks.
- The chain offers professional hair and beauty products, staffed by trained experts.
- Sally Beauty forms part of Sally Europe, the world’s largest distributor of professional hair and beauty products.
- The brand originated as a standalone store in New Orleans in 1964 and has expanded into a global network.
- Nearest stores remain in Millgate, Rochdale, Wigan, and Manchester, or online.
- Sally Beauty closed its Sale branch last year.
- The closure represents a blow to Bolton town centre amid recent exits of big names like Marks & Spencer and Clinton Cards.
- A regeneration plan aims to transform the town centre into a mix of residential, retail, and leisure spaces.
Bolton (Manchester Mirror ) January 21, 2026 – Sally Beauty on Deansgate will close its doors at 5pm today, following a massive 75 per cent off sale last week that drew crowds to the popular beauty retailer.
The closure ends nearly a decade of operation for the store, which industry professionals have praised for its extensive range of professional hair and beauty products. Located in the heart of Bolton town centre, this branch was part of a network of over 160 Sally Beauty outlets across UK high streets and retail parks, all staffed by trained experts who assist customers with specialist items not typically found in high street chemists.
Why Is Sally Beauty Closing in Bolton?
The decision to shutter the Deansgate store comes amid broader challenges facing physical retail in town centres. As reported in local coverage, the Bolton branch, which opened in 2016 as a two-storey beauty superstore, has succumbed to economic pressures affecting non-essential retail. That original opening, detailed by The Bolton News in 2016, highlighted the store’s arrival as a boost to the area, with its vast selection of over 9,000 products from more than 500 brands.
Sally Beauty’s parent company, Sally Europe, remains the world’s largest distributor of professional hair and beauty products, but the chain has faced store rationalisation. The Bolton closure follows the shutdown of its Sale branch last year, signalling a pattern of consolidation. Customers now face a journey to the nearest alternatives in Millgate, Rochdale, Wigan, or Manchester, or must turn to online shopping .
What Is the History of Sally Beauty in Bolton?
The Bolton store first welcomed shoppers in 2016, transforming a prime town centre spot into a hub for beauty enthusiasts. As chronicled by The Bolton News, the two-storey superstore opened with fanfare, offering everything from hair dyes and styling tools to nail products and salon equipment. Industry professionals lauded it for providing access to trade-only items, setting it apart from competitors.
Since that launch, the store served as a go-to destination for both professionals and hobbyists. Its closure at 5pm today marks the end of an era, with last week’s clearance sale—offering 75 per cent discounts—serving as a final hurrah that emptied shelves. The branch’s footprint in Bolton underscored Sally Beauty’s commitment to high street presence, but shifting consumer habits have intervened.
How Does This Fit into Sally Beauty’s Global Story?
Sally Beauty traces its roots to a single standalone store in New Orleans in 1964, founded amid the rise of America’s beauty industry boom. From those humble beginnings, it evolved into Sally Europe, a powerhouse distributing professional products worldwide. Today, the UK arm boasts over 160 locations, blending high street accessibility with expert advice.
The Bolton outlet exemplified this model, but closures like this reflect strategic adjustments. No specific statement from Sally Beauty executives on the Bolton decision appears in available reports, though the pattern—including Sale’s exit—suggests a focus on viability amid rising costs and online competition.
What Impact Will This Have on Bolton Shoppers?
Local beauty aficionados will feel the sting most acutely. The Deansgate store’s specialised stock—unavailable in standard chemists—catered to stylists, nail technicians, and everyday users seeking premium brands. With alternatives in Rochdale, Wigan, Manchester, or online, travel or digital shifts now loom for loyal patrons.
Praise from industry professionals underscores the loss; the store’s trained staff provided guidance on products like professional-grade hair colours and tools, fostering a community feel. Last week’s sale likely scooped up bargains, but the permanent closure disrupts routines for many.
Why Are Town Centre Stores Closing in Bolton?
Bolton’s retail landscape has thinned dramatically. Big names like Marks & Spencer and Clinton Cards have vanished in recent times, alongside others, eroding the vibrancy of Deansgate and surrounds. Sally Beauty’s exit compounds this, delivering another blow to the centre’s footfall.
Economic headwinds—high rents, online shopping surges, and post-pandemic shifts—explain much of the exodus. The Bolton closure, coming so soon after Sale, highlights vulnerability in beauty retail specifically.
What Regeneration Plans Exist for Bolton Town Centre?
A comprehensive plan is underway to revitalise the area. Developers aim to blend residential units, retail spaces, and leisure facilities, creating a multifaceted destination for locals. This mixed-use vision seeks to replace pure shopping reliance with living, working, and entertainment options.
While details on timelines remain sparse in reports, the initiative promises to stem decline. Sally Beauty’s departure underscores the urgency, as town planners push for diversification to draw residents and visitors alike.
Where Can Bolton Customers Shop Next?
Options persist nearby. The Millgate store in Rochdale offers a convenient alternative, as do branches in Wigan and Manchester. For those preferring home delivery, stocks the full range, from hair extensions to salon furniture.
The online platform mirrors in-store expertise, with virtual advice tools compensating for lost face-to-face service. Last week’s sale may have whetted appetites, but these outlets ensure continuity.
In summary, today’s 5pm closure caps a chapter for Sally Beauty in Bolton, but the brand endures through its network and digital arm. The town centre’s woes persist, yet regeneration offers hope.
