Long-standing customers of a popular hairdressing salon in north Watford enjoyed tea and cake at a party held today.

UD Salon, in St Albans Road, is moving to Croxley Business Park later this month after the business was evicted by the property landlord.

Ahead of the move, however, owner Pamela Parmar treated some of her elderly customers to a party.

Among the guests were Hilda Hearnden, 95, Eva Taylor, 90, and Gladys Kidby, who celebrates her 92nd birthday tomorrow (Wednesday).

Mrs Kidby has lived in Regent Street her whole life and has visited the salon, including its previous guises before Pamela took over 25 years ago, for more than 60 years.

She was presented with several birthday cards and a cake as she was sung Happy Birthday by staff and guests that included Watford Mayor Dorothy Thornhill.

Mrs Kidby said: “They’ve made me so welcome. They’ve been excellent.

“I’ve lived in Regent Street all my life and it’s been the nearest one when I started having my hair done. And I’ve been coming ever since.”

Pamela first joined the salon as a 12-year-old “Saturday girl” when the salon was called Delia’s and completed her apprenticeship there.

Then after a two-year break, aged 22, she returned to the same shop after buying the lease.

However, last summer she was handed an eviction notice by her landlord.

Her last day will be April 23 before she opens her new premises in Croxley Business Park on April 28.

Pamela said: “This is a party to say goodbye. I’ve known them all my whole life nearly so it’s to say goodbye and thank you. Some of them won’t be able to come with us.

“They’re all really upset. It happened to be Mrs Kidby’s birthday and we’re like family so we wanted to help her celebrate that.

“We’re making a big investment in the new shop and having to find finances at a very difficult time. It’s lucky I have got great staff and clients.”

Mayor Thornhill said it was a “huge disappointment” Pamela was leaving St Albans Road, where she is chairman of the traders association.

“Very few hairdressers look after their clients in the way she does,” she said. “It’s to her and the staff’s credit they’re picking themselves up, going to a new premises and will be equally successful.”