In these hectic times, when the pace and pressures of life seem to have hardened peoples’ hearts to each other, small acts of care and kindness stand out so much more.

One such happening caught my eye the other day when I was out shopping in Sandymount Village. Members of staff from the Central Hair Salon were helping an older customer with a walking frame in the door of the salon.

When she got in, you could see she was getting a great welcome and everybody was fussing about her like she was the Queen of Sheba. Now that looks like a place worth checking out, I thought, so I did.

Helen Gobender and Angela Doyle have been running the salon for the last ten years and there is a staff of ten workers. The salon’s clientele comes mainly from Sandymount, Irishtown and Ringsend and they have many long-standing customers from all over the area. The regulars never fail to clock in for a local cut and blow-dry! They are familiar with the staff and have no longing to stray from this homely salon.

With a few seriously skilled tweaks, Helen or Andrea can turn birds’ nests into manageable, stylish and modern creations, and create great styles that last for a long time, making the visit a real treat.

There is a bustling, vibrant atmosphere about the place and welcoming, trend-trained staff await, so there’s no reason not to make this your regular haven for a snip, a colour and a spot of Dublin gossip.

Another plus point, though I don’t indulge myself, was the designated smoking area in a decked area of the back garden. Perfect for a ciggie while you are waiting for that new style to set.

Central Hair Studio is at 89 Sandymount Road, Dublin 4. Phone: 01 6683309.