Fiona Adams meets the couple behind House Cats in Teddington and finds out how they’ve nailed the manicure business with style...
Our high streets have become a little transient of late with shops opening and closing every five minutes, but occasionally a new store or service comes along that weathers the tricky financial storms of retail and is clasped to the bosom of its community.
One such gem is House Cats in Teddington, which opened in September 2016, offering high-quality manicures and pedicures, plus blow drys and make-up, with the added bonus of Prosecco and cocktails.
Within weeks its popularity soared. Here was a new kind of nail bar – there was no gels or extensions in sight – the atmosphere was a little Scandi with natural wood and prints and it was light and airy, not steamy and sweaty. Returning customers were remembered and word soon spread.
Owners and partners Angel Zagorov and Kamelia Paneva, originally from Bulgaria, had often visited Teddington and were in no doubt that it was the right place for their new venture.
“I trained in the theatre with make-up and wigs,” explains Kamelia “but, when we had our son (now 10), I decided to retrain at a specialist nail academy in Bulgaria to find something I could do part-time. In London, I felt there was a gap in the nail industry for a salon that could offer a relaxing and enjoyable experience. We loved Teddington and knew it was the place to open our first shop.”
“Here the community feel is really strong,” adds Angel, who previously managed stores for Zara and H&M. “It’s very family orientated and community-focused, especially with Totally Locally and Teddington Lights Up. You really feel part of something. Teddington is definitely our first love!”
The couple opened their second salon in Fulham two years ago; its client-base is younger and has a more international demographic but essentially the way House Cats appeals to its customers is the same at both locations.
“The market was really saturated with cheap nail bars, and they have their place of course, but we wanted to bring something new to the game,” explains Angel. “Our customers look after themselves, they care about the health of their nails. We wanted to make their experience a personal one and number one on our list of priorities was customer service.
“We want to remember the names of everyone, we want to take your jacket and hang it up for you. Here we are not offering a 20-minute in and out job; here you can relax with a drink if you want, have a chat, it’s a relaxing experience with high-quality service and products.”
The treatments available range from a simple Polish On (just £9) and On the Go Manicure (£16) to more care-focused manicures and pedicures using OPI and CND Shellac and including shaping, buffing and massage.
If the fancy takes you, you can plump for a French manicure or individual nail art. ‘Little Kittens’ (under-12s) can enjoy a ‘mini mani’ with a shape, buff and polish for just £12. You can also come with wet or freshly washed hair and have it styled or dried by Kamelia or manager Veronika. And gents are welcome too.
House Cats has also launched its own range of care products, including foot scrub and cream, hand and body scrub and moisturizer, and my favourite, cuticle oil in ginger and verbena or melon, guava and mango.
You would be forgiven for thinking that Kamelia and Angel might sit back on their laurels and enjoy their success, but they are just as enthusiastic about their future as they are about the past.
“This is a real passion for me; it is so much more than a business!” Kamelia smiles. “There is something coming up! It’s a secret at the moment, but we are always striving to be better and deliver the best service we can.”
It’s good to know that our nails are in good hands.
Visit: housecats.co.uk
