Keynsham children's hair salon Bertie and Belle named as a regional finalist in the UK StartUp Awards 2026

When Gareth Sanders couldn't find a haircut his son could cope with, he stopped looking and started building. The result is Bertie and Belle a specialist children's hair salon in Keynsham, Bristol which has now been named a regional finalist in the UK StartUp Awards 2026, shortlisted in the Consumer Services StartUp of the Year category for the South West.

Bertie and Belle provides a calm, child-led environment for first haircuts, toddlers, and children who find traditional salons overwhelming. Rather than asking children to simply sit still and get on with it, the salon's experienced stylists work at the child's pace, focusing on comfort and confidence as much as the cut itself. Since opening, the team has grown to six staff and established itself as a go-to service for parents across the Bristol area.

"I just wanted somewhere my son could get his hair cut without it being a ordeal," said Gareth Sanders, founder of Bertie and Belle. "I couldn't find that place, so I built it. Seeing it actually work - watching kids who were terrified on their first visit walk in confidently the second time - that's what makes it worthwhile. Being recognised as a finalist is brilliant, and I'm incredibly proud of the team we've built."

The UK StartUp Awards, now in its fifth year, received over 2,000 entries in 2026 and has shortlisted more than 900 businesses across ten nations and regions. Together, this year's finalists have created nearly 5,000 jobs and generate annual sales of over £150 million.

Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE, co-founder of the UK StartUp Awards, said: "New businesses are the driving force behind any thriving economy. This year's finalists represent the very best of British entrepreneurial talent spotting opportunities and, through dedication, skill, and resilience, building ventures that are making a real difference in their industries and communities. The standard of entries in 2026 has been exceptional, and every finalist should be enormously proud of what they have achieved."

Regional winners will go on to represent their region at the national final at Ideas Fest held at Champneys, Tring, Hertfordshire on 9-10 September 2026. Full details at startupawards.uk.

15 Station Road
Keynsham
BS31 2BH

Bertie and Belle is a specialist children's hair salon based in Keynsham, Bristol, providing calm and child-led haircutting experiences for toddlers and nervous children. The salon employs experienced stylists who understand child behaviour to help children build confidence during their appointments. www.bertieandbelle.com/home-bristol

This release was published on openPR.