AFTER 18 years of trade in the city, a hair salon has closed its doors.

The hair salon Umberto Giannini, in Pump Street, Worcester, has a notice on the store’s door which reads: “After 18 years of trading we are very sad to say we are no longer open for business. Thank you to our loyal staff and clients.”

Founder of the business, Umberto Giannini opened his first salon in Kidderminster, in 1990.

Kidderminster-born Mr Giannini passed away in January 2001, at the age of 33, after battling against a rare viral disease, dermatomyositis.

The disease affects only one in 200,000 people.

Mr Giannini became the youngest ever winner of the British Hairdresser of the Year award in 1999.