THE chairman of Bolton and Bury Chamber, Mr Tony Rink, saw life at the sharp end when he opened the newly refurbished Michaeljohn training Centre and salon in Lever Street, Bolton.

The centre has doubled in size allowing a boost its student numbers to 250.

Managing Director Michael Foster and his wife Kathleen set up Michaeljohn to teach hairdressing in 1986 - just around the corner from Michael's great great grandfather's hair business of 1886.

Key skills

Since the 1980s, the business has grown to deliver training programmes for young people in customer service, care of the elderly, key skills and information technology. The organisation also specialises in programmes for students with special needs.

Michaeljohn delivers Modern Apprenticeships, National Traineeships and the Directions preparatory programme on behalf of Bolton and Bury Chamber.

Mr Foster said: "We have a dedicated IT suite and our training salon is on a par with the best high street establishments."

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