History of Oxford TAO

TAO has a rich and interesting history, it once used to be part of a chain of 32 beauty salons across the UK focused on hair removal for ladies and it was established in 1935 by Mrs E Imgram.  In those days there was a certain amount of secrecy around hair removal and therefore Mrs Ingram rented properties with a discreet front entrance with the salon on the first floor to offer a little more privacy to her customers.  Hence the Oxford TAO salon being on the first floor.

 

TAO has been at this same site in Oxford since 1968 .   Mrs Ingram sold the business to a Mr and Mrs Duller in 1984, who then they ran the business for the next 40 years together with their loyal team of therapists, including Susan Bluett who has been the Salon Manager at TAO since 1981.

 

I bought the business in February 2024.   My background is as a massage therapist , working from my home in south Oxfordshire.  I was looking to expand my business and work with colleagues again when I spotted the TAO salon up for sale. I remember going to TAO back when I first moved to Oxford in the mid 2000’s and instantly recognised the name.   I wasn’t surprised to see the same business still going  as I remembered that it was a lovely, friendly beauty salon right in the city centre of Oxford.

 

It has been a big leap jumping from being a massage therapist working alone to owning a salon with multiple therapists and staff.  But luckily I have a great team who have all been working there for a long time and have helped me get up speed quickly.

 

TAO also has a very loyal and long standing customer base and it always makes me smile when customers chat to me in the reception area to tell me how long they have been coming here and why they come back time and again.

Our plans for TAO’s future are to carry on the way it has always been, a friendly welcoming salon with professional staff who our customers look forward to coming back to see, albeit with a bit of a facelift to its décor and the treatment menu.  

 

The building renovations have started but it is taking slightly longer than expected due to the age of the building and its location.   But we are getting there slowly but surely.  I hope you enjoy seeing the changes as you come for your appointments over the coming months.