One of Surbiton’s best-known hairdressing salons closes today after more than a decade in business. Hair by Mitch, near the Black Lion pub at 54 Brighton Road, switches off the last dryer at the end of this Saturday shift.

“After 11 wonderful years, with immense sadness, I’ve decided to close my beautiful salon,” Mitch told her regulars.

The stylist was invariably accompanied to work by her dog, Jackson.

Hair by Mitch, which won the 2011 best new business prize at the Kingston Business Awards, is closing – staff say – because of “internal financial reasons”.

Mitch (Michelle), who trained with Vidal Sassoon, said the sudden closure was beyond her control. “As you can imagine, this decision has been very difficult to reach,” she said in a message.

Below, the salon crew.