Frances Urwin: Much Missed and Dearly Loved

It is with great sadness we must announce the passing of Frances Urwin, owner of Frontlinestyle Hair & Beauty in Bath and Wells, Somerset.

Frontlinestyle has been a permanent fixture in the Wells high street for over 40 years, opened by Frances and her father, Mr Francis - a talented hairdresser who already had several salons in Bristol.

From the start Frances strove to do something different, to think outside the box and to deliver not only modern, up-to-the-minute hairstyles, strong colouring work but also initiate a focus on hair loss and wig work.

Outstanding customer care and training was a key part of Frontlinestyle's business culture. Her reputation quickly grew and included premises in Weston-super-Mare and the surrounding area. In time, the portfolio increased to six salons adding beauty salons to the company offering and in 1986 a full retail perfumery was added to the Wells salon and then onto Bath, where she opened her first salon in the city in 2003, a beautiful Grade II listed building on Monmouth Street.

From humble beginnings, Frontlinestyle is now one of the significant players in the West Country hairdressing and beauty industry working closely with Wella and some of the best in the industry, including: Mark Blake, Charlie Taylor, and Michael Douglas.

Frances was delighted to be able to support several charities, including Children with Cancer UK, NSPCC, Cancer research, Break Through Breast Cancer and, more locally, Children’s Hospice Southwest and the Forever Friends appeal for the RUH in Bath & their work which resulted in a state-of-the-art new premature baby unit.

Through Frances’ dedication to training and experience her talented stylists and therapists have participated in industry competitions, including the renowned Wella ‘Trend Vision’, and over the years the business has been recognised nationally, winning awards in customer service, retail, and marketing.

Frontlinestyle remains very much a family business and a company of opportunity. Now in its third generation, Frances’ children will continue to move the business forward having been part of the business all their lives. They will strive to encourage new ways of delivering and maintaining a successful business, as well as recognising and developing their team.

Frances will be much missed and dearly loved by all who knew her.

Frances' funeral will take place on Monday 31st January, 11am. St Andrew’s Church, Congresbury BS495DY.

Funeral flowers bouquetflorist.co.uk

Donations to Frances’ chosen charity: Children with Cancer UK via Walter H. Squires & Sons www.whsquires.co.uk