The Rye Retreat has been part of the town’s life for many years and has grown from a hair and beauty business into one of the town’s best-known community-minded enterprises. The company itself dates back to 1999 and has become an award-winning salon and spa in the heart of Rye, employing a large local team and attracting visitors from across the region.
What makes The Rye Retreat particularly important to the town is not simply the services it provides, but the way it supports community life. Over the years it has regularly backed local charities, community groups, fundraising events and causes in both Rye and Rye Harbour. Staff members are often involved in sponsored events, raffles, charity collections and local campaigns, helping to raise both money and awareness for organisations that benefit local residents.
The business also contributes to Rye’s economy by providing employment opportunities, drawing visitors into the town and encouraging people to spend time in Rye’s shops, cafes and restaurants. As a destination business, it plays a role in strengthening Rye’s reputation as a place where independent businesses thrive.
One of the wonderful things The Rye Retreat offers is not really quantifiable and that is the real, honest caring of all the staff. They are the best listeners and they aim always to make sure that their clients feel cared and for walk away feeling so much better. They build relationships and that is why people return. It is also a testament to the ethos of Jenny and Ralph that many staff have been there since the beginning over 30 years ago.
Youngsters come out of college with many skills but working on the floor is an added bonus and colleges cannot teach that. The Retreat aims to make them all-round stylists and working with customers is pivotal to what they do. The caring comes from the top and permeates its way through to all the staff making The Rye Retreat an oasis of learning and growth.
Owners Jenny and Ralph Sperring explain how the salon has developed. “We moved to the area in 1986 for family reasons. Ralph’s parents took on the running of The Queen’s Head and we decided to join them in Rye. We were offered an opportunity to set up a salon in Rye in partnership in 1992 with the owners of the Tenterden salon with whom Jenny had been working.
“I wanted to take the salon in a more holistic direction, using plant-based products not tested on animals and avoiding harmful chemicals. I noticed that some of the junior stylists had been having problems with chemicals which were affecting their skin and, in one case, their breathing. I needed a solution. It was at this time that AVEDA, a supplier of natural products that were not subject to testing on animals, was setting up in the UK. We had the opportunity to be one of the first salons in the UK to use its products. In 1994 we bought out our partners’ share of the business with the aim of setting up a salon called Rye Cutters focused on using natural products and treatments based on Ayurvedic principles.
“Business grew steadily and it soon became obvious that bigger premises were required. A few doors down from Rye Cutters was 36-38 Cinque Port Street, a run-down building only thirty yards from our current salon. It was quite a risk as there was an immense amount of building work required and it would take time to complete. We bought the property in 1999 and there were many hitches on the way but we finally opened the salon in 2000 as the Rye Retreat. It was to become the first ‘Aveda Lifestyle’ salon in the country, offering hair and beauty services as well as a cafe.”
The community of Rye is very important to you. How have you got involved?
We work and liaise with Rye College and offer work placements. We help with community projects which help to improve Rye as a place to work and live for us all. A local school, Playden, needed a new kit for their football team, so we supplied it for them. This was really important to us because one of our stylists had a child there and it really helped their confidence to have a special kit to play in. Ralph is an ex-trustee at Rye Heritage Centre. This is such an important asset to the town’s heritage and visitors and it was important to make sure the amazing town model was safe and secure for many generations to come.
You have helped many local charities. How much do you think you have raised over the years?
To be honest we cannot be sure, but over the 26 years probably over £75,000. We have become involved with the Community Bus, SE Dog rescue, Rye Jazz and numerous clubs and schools, and we often donate prizes for raffles. We are both very keen supporters of NSPCC, Sarah Lee Trust, and Macmillan Nurses. One of our great joys is having sponsored three RNIB guide dogs.
What does the future hold for The Rye Retreat?
Rye has grown in many ways since we commenced business. Like many small towns it has to adapt and we are listening to our customers and changing with the trend if that works for our ethos.
Image Credits: Kt bruce .