A POPULAR former hairdresser who founded a salon which has been in business in Worcester for more than 60 years has died, aged 90.

Jon Wurmli, who was born in Switzerland, opened his hairdressing business Jon Continental Hairdressing at 102 High Street, Worcester, in 1958. The hair salon has remained at the location ever since although was renamed Wicked Hair by his son Hans-Peter who took over the business from his father. Jon passed away last month, on Saturday, May 29. Paying tribute to his father,Jon’s other son Marc Wurmli, who took over Jon’s Quality Hairdressing in Malvern - his father’s other hair salon - said: “My father and mother moved to Worcester because my grandmother, my mother’s mum, lived here and my father wanted to open a salon but couldn’t afford to in Switzerland, so my grandmother found one in Worcester. He was a very charismatic man - he had his Swiss side and his English side, if he had his Swiss side on then you didn’t really want to see him! but if he had his English side on then you did. He had a lot of trainee hairdressers come through in Worcester, and there are a lot of hairdressers in the city who run their own salons now who would remember him.”

Jon opened the Worcester salon in 1958, at the time known as Jon Continental Hairdressing to reflect his Swiss heritage. At this time the salon presented a unique hairdressing experience with an open plan layout which was a far cry from the private cubicles used in salons at this time. Jon Continental Hairdressing showcased cutting techniques and styles direct from the continent which he developed during his training in Switzerland. When he first opened the salon in Worcester he was a one man band, supported by his loyal and loving wife Pat. Over the years he employed hairdressers from Switzerland to continue the continental theme, as well as employing and training local talent. Jon went on to enjoy a long and happy retirement, and enjoyed spending time with his five children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.