“THE shop has been good for Andover and Andover has been good for us.”

Those were the words of the co-owner of Just Kutz, in Bridge Street, Mazz Watson, as the hairdressers celebrate 20 years in business.

On September 12, Mazz and Maggie Bird marked their anniversary after opening their first salon in Junction Road in 1998, with Test Valley mayor Tony Jackson cutting the ribbon before getting a trim from the pair.

The idea for the business came from Mazz who was working in a barbers in Newbury and was asked to do a mum’s haircut while her sons were getting theirs done but the manager refused the request.

“I thought wouldn’t it be a great to have a shop which both women and men could just walk in and get their haircut,” Mazz said.

She then approached Maggie who jumped on board straight away and within days of opening the friends were busy with queues down the street wanting to experience the novel salon.

“I was very optimistic that it was going to be a great concept and Maggie was going to be a great partner - we make a great team and work really well together.”

The pair have since carried out thousands of haircuts and some customers have now become friends.

“I am proud of Just Kutz, we have got really great customers some that come from Andover and others that come from the surrounding areas and we have made some really good friends.”

But Mazz said there was one cut that she is glad she did not carry out.

“It is unbelievable, a guy came in an said he wanted a monk hair cut, so a hole shaved out of the middle of his head, but I had to say no to that one.”

On September 15 the pair held a celebration at the Town Mills with friends, family and customers who enjoyed karaoke, drinks and food.

The friends plan to keep the salon open for another five years, at least, after signing a new lease.