0:00:02 > 0:00:04A stone's throw from the shopping mecca of Cardiff city centre
0:00:04 > 0:00:08lies a street with a long history of home-grown business.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11Good morning, Coray And Co, how can I help?
0:00:11 > 0:00:14A kilometre-long melting pot of independent retailers,
0:00:14 > 0:00:17City Road is the country's most diverse street.
0:00:18 > 0:00:22Almost 60% of those who live here were born outside of Wales.
0:00:24 > 0:00:25So much diversity on City Road -
0:00:25 > 0:00:28my Scottish accent's just adding to it, I think!
0:00:28 > 0:00:29A place where new...
0:00:29 > 0:00:31I hope open next month.
0:00:31 > 0:00:33..and old collide.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35I wouldn't like a business down here.
0:00:35 > 0:00:36Now it's altered.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38Where change is inevitable,
0:00:38 > 0:00:42and fun times are always just around the corner.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44Vibrating mascara?
0:00:44 > 0:00:45Looks kind of spiky.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48- SIREN WAILS GASPS:- Look at that!
0:00:48 > 0:00:51On a street that was once the site for public executions...
0:00:51 > 0:00:53I'm going to cry.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55..it's not always easy to survive.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59But the people of City Road have learned to come out fighting...
0:00:59 > 0:01:01Let's go! Let's go!
0:01:01 > 0:01:03..and they never stay down for long.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06I love you, Dave!
0:01:07 > 0:01:09This is life on City Road.
0:01:09 > 0:01:11It's the place to be for action.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20With 161 shops open for business,
0:01:20 > 0:01:25City Road is an eating, styling and selling hotspot.
0:01:26 > 0:01:27From party tricks...
0:01:27 > 0:01:30Somebody is going to be winning a leather outfit.
0:01:30 > 0:01:31I hope it's not my dad.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33..to classy cuts...
0:01:33 > 0:01:34Hairdressing is my life.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36You cut me, and I bleed hairdressing.
0:01:36 > 0:01:37I've always, always said that.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40..to life-changing body art...
0:01:41 > 0:01:43Pointing? Straight on?
0:01:43 > 0:01:45..whatever it is you're looking for,
0:01:45 > 0:01:48you can almost certainly find it on City Road.
0:01:51 > 0:01:55One man who savours the great variety of life here is Chris Jones.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01City Road, from an outsider's point of view,
0:02:01 > 0:02:02it's probably quite rough,
0:02:02 > 0:02:04but you don't notice that when you live there,
0:02:04 > 0:02:07it's just where you live and that's it, you know?
0:02:08 > 0:02:11Chris and his miniature Doberman, Baxter,
0:02:11 > 0:02:14live in a flat that overlooks City Road.
0:02:15 > 0:02:17Good boy. Good boy.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20City Road, it's a bustling metropolis by itself.
0:02:21 > 0:02:22Come on, then, let's go.
0:02:23 > 0:02:27Chris and Baxter love the sights, the sounds...
0:02:27 > 0:02:31There's loads of different people speaking different languages.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34..and the smells of City Road.
0:02:34 > 0:02:35There's loads of different restaurants.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39You could eat food from four different continents.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42I live next to the Mexican restaurant.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45My bedroom always smells like good Mexican food,
0:02:45 > 0:02:47which is nice!
0:02:47 > 0:02:48HE CHUCKLES
0:02:50 > 0:02:54With Baxter fed and walked, it's time for Chris to start his day job.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56NEEDLE BUZZES
0:02:56 > 0:02:57How's it feeling?
0:02:57 > 0:03:00You OK? You don't feel sick or dizzy or faint?
0:03:00 > 0:03:01- No.- Good.
0:03:03 > 0:03:07An award-winning artist, Christ part-owns Physical Graffiti -
0:03:07 > 0:03:10a tattoo parlour that's thriving.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15It's the shop's ten year anniversary, this year.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19When it started off, it was just on the ground floor,
0:03:19 > 0:03:21and now the shop's three floors.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24We've got six artists, a shop manager.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26It's just gone from strength to strength.
0:03:27 > 0:03:32In this job, Chris gets all kinds of unusual requests...
0:03:32 > 0:03:35I'm having a snake with boobies.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38..but he doesn't get many clients like Linda.
0:03:38 > 0:03:40Hello.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42Wow!
0:03:42 > 0:03:44Linda and her husband Alan
0:03:44 > 0:03:47have come to see Chris with a very special tattoo request.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49What kind of nipple do you want?
0:03:49 > 0:03:51- 3-D.- 3-D.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54- Yep, please. - I mean, obviously, it's only...
0:03:54 > 0:03:56It's an illusion.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59I never really fancied having any tattoo done before.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02I was diagnosed with breast cancer.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06But it's just going to put a close...
0:04:06 > 0:04:10to the operation and everything I've been through.
0:04:10 > 0:04:11It's like the final part of it.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15What Linda has been through includes a double mastectomy
0:04:15 > 0:04:17and a breast reconstruction,
0:04:17 > 0:04:19which has left her without natural nipples.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24I've brought a picture just before my surgery.
0:04:24 > 0:04:28- Ah, right.- It's all down to shading and colouring and...- Yeah, exactly.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30That's why I haven't got any inks out yet,
0:04:30 > 0:04:32- cos it depends on your skin tone. - I have got, like, a...
0:04:33 > 0:04:35The times I've done it in the past,
0:04:35 > 0:04:40I've had to make the one nipple look like the nipple that's still left,
0:04:40 > 0:04:42which, depending on the nipple,
0:04:42 > 0:04:45can sometimes be quite difficult to do, I think -
0:04:45 > 0:04:51but because this was two, I had total free rein, which is cool.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54I want the expert.
0:04:54 > 0:04:59I mean, I'm not embarrassed about how I look now,
0:04:59 > 0:05:02but I just think when the nipple's there, been tattooed,
0:05:02 > 0:05:05I'll just look like any other woman in the changing room.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09Good morning, Coray And Co, how can I help?
0:05:09 > 0:05:11Right next door to Physical Graffiti
0:05:11 > 0:05:13is another business that's customer-facing.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15What are we doing today then?
0:05:15 > 0:05:18- Well, the usual, really, Mark.- OK.
0:05:19 > 0:05:20Although they're neighbours,
0:05:20 > 0:05:24the tattoo salon and the hair salon are worlds apart.
0:05:25 > 0:05:26Coffee?
0:05:26 > 0:05:30I always describe it as a five-star, down-to-earth salon.
0:05:31 > 0:05:36Owner Mark is proud of the quality of customer that the salon attracts.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38OK, well, bring them in, and we'll do all that, as well.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44There's been a lot of celebrity clients that we've come across here.
0:05:44 > 0:05:50Most famous is Sian Lloyd, our Welsh weather girl.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52- Hi, Sian.- Hiya! Hiya, Mark.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54And, really, she's part of the family.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57I've been with your well over 20 years - 25 years?
0:05:57 > 0:06:01Sometimes, perhaps, we're not quite politically correct.
0:06:01 > 0:06:02What about Donald Trump?
0:06:02 > 0:06:04- What a twat, eh? - HE LAUGHS
0:06:04 > 0:06:05God!
0:06:05 > 0:06:07If you say you're a supporter, Mark,
0:06:07 > 0:06:09I'm never going to speak to you ever again.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11Oh, no, I don't, I don't, I don't.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13Wahey!
0:06:13 > 0:06:15She travels from London to Cardiff just to get her hair done.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20It's a six hour round-trip, but he's the best.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22And you just go to the best, don't you?
0:06:23 > 0:06:28If you achieve the style that the client wants, then you've got it.
0:06:28 > 0:06:29Eat your heart out, Adele!
0:06:29 > 0:06:32THEY CHUCKLE
0:06:32 > 0:06:33I've done lots in my life.
0:06:33 > 0:06:38I've represented Great Britain's Olympic standard in Washington DC,
0:06:38 > 0:06:41I've had conversations with Hillary Clinton,
0:06:41 > 0:06:43I've been to the Kremlin in Russia.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45But I'm still a hairdresser.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50- Thank you, thanks, guys. - See you, Sian, take care. Bye.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55Mark has owned his salon here for 20 years.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57He even spent his childhood on City Road,
0:06:57 > 0:07:00living above a cafe that his parents owned.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02My friends all lived in the side streets
0:07:02 > 0:07:04opposite my mum and dad's cafe.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06I knew all the shopkeepers.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08So, when I look back, they were the good old days.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14But the City Road of Mark's youth has changed.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17With the rise of big brand shopping in the city centre,
0:07:17 > 0:07:20some of the street's retailers have lost out -
0:07:20 > 0:07:24and Mark thinks this once classy road has seen better days.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28We have a good reputation in Cardiff.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31However, the street is getting scruffier,
0:07:31 > 0:07:34and I think the area, at this moment in time,
0:07:34 > 0:07:37doesn't warrant the clientele that we need.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42Sorry, I didn't know I'd locked you out.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45Today, Mark's parents have popped in
0:07:45 > 0:07:48for one of their regular appointments
0:07:48 > 0:07:50with senior stylist, Michael.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53Don't mind me stripping in front of you, do you?
0:07:53 > 0:07:55It was very nice down here when we had our cafe.
0:07:55 > 0:08:00There was car salerooms, there was also butchers, clothing shops,
0:08:00 > 0:08:04tailor shops - but it's completely changed now.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06It's more like an eating place, isn't it?
0:08:06 > 0:08:08- Do you go eating down here, Michael? - I do, yeah.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11There's a restaurant on the end of our block that's quite nice.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13Oh, I like foreign foods, don't get me wrong.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15I really enjoy foreign food.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18But I don't think I'd like a business down here now.
0:08:18 > 0:08:19Now it's altered.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23As the street has changed,
0:08:23 > 0:08:26so too has the kind of customer walking past the salon.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29Business has dropped so bad - at one time,
0:08:29 > 0:08:31all these seats used to be occupied.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33He had around about eight staff,
0:08:33 > 0:08:36and you used to have to wait for the seat.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38It was so full up.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40I still love coming to work - hairdressing is my life.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42You cut me, and I bleed hairdressing.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44I've always, always said that.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47However, I would just like a different outlook,
0:08:47 > 0:08:48as opposed to City Road.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54While business isn't exactly booming for the five-star salon,
0:08:54 > 0:08:58across the road, the old adage that sex sells
0:08:58 > 0:09:00is proving to be true on City Road.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05It's not a sex shop.
0:09:05 > 0:09:06We don't sell sex.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08It's a sexy shop.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11Not much of that, is there?
0:09:11 > 0:09:12SHE WHISTLES
0:09:12 > 0:09:15That's not going to keep you warm in winter.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20Passion is one of the street's biggest, most successful shops.
0:09:22 > 0:09:26The owner, Faith, makes your love life her business.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29So, we sell lingerie, shoes, boots,
0:09:29 > 0:09:34some toys, and things, basically, to spice up your romantic side.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38Generally, my customers are part of a couple
0:09:38 > 0:09:41that want to add some enhancement to their relationship.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44I'm not sure this is my area.
0:09:44 > 0:09:45It's really, really important
0:09:45 > 0:09:47to ensure that you have an intimate relationship
0:09:47 > 0:09:50with your partner, because it brings you so much closer.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52I don't know what that is.
0:09:52 > 0:09:53THEY LAUGH
0:09:54 > 0:09:56Faith got the idea for her business
0:09:56 > 0:09:59after reading the advice of professionals.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01If you speak to any sex therapist these days,
0:10:01 > 0:10:04they will tell you, the first thing, if you don't have orgasms,
0:10:04 > 0:10:06is, do you own a vibrator?
0:10:06 > 0:10:07You need one.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10So, I found my market that way.
0:10:10 > 0:10:14I do sometimes see myself as a bit of a therapist.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16- VIBRATOR BUZZES - Ooh, there you go.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18- Yeah!- It's quite noisy, actually!
0:10:18 > 0:10:20I've heard you're meant to test it on your nose.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22Yeah. So, if I go up this end with a remote...
0:10:22 > 0:10:24Yeah. Oh, yeah, OK.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26If you put it inside your coat.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28- BUZZING STOPS - I'm zapping you!
0:10:28 > 0:10:30- BUZZING RESUMES - Oh, yeah, OK.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32SHE CHUCKLES
0:10:34 > 0:10:36Loads of people ask me, "Have you used everything in this shop?"
0:10:36 > 0:10:40Well, actually, I'm still walking, so I doubt it!
0:10:40 > 0:10:41SHE CHUCKLES
0:10:46 > 0:10:48City Road looks very different
0:10:48 > 0:10:51to the wealthy Edwardian thoroughfare it once was.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54But through all the changes,
0:10:54 > 0:10:57one annual event has never failed to come around.
0:10:59 > 0:11:03This is City Road's 110th Christmas.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07And there's one man that always likes to make a show of it.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12I'm about to wreck Santa.
0:11:14 > 0:11:18Christmas is dark, rainy, depressing,
0:11:18 > 0:11:20and you need light to brighten,
0:11:20 > 0:11:22to pump energy back into us.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26Clients come in, they look for the dancing Santa,
0:11:26 > 0:11:28the chirpy Mickey Mouse clock house
0:11:28 > 0:11:30with its 12 animated Christmas carols.
0:11:31 > 0:11:36I like to think we do Christmas in a very tasteful way,
0:11:36 > 0:11:38with the tiniest bit of tack.
0:11:38 > 0:11:39Here we go.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42# Up on the housetop reindeer paws
0:11:42 > 0:11:44# Out jumps good old... #
0:11:44 > 0:11:46Welcome to Christmas at Coray And Co!
0:11:46 > 0:11:47HE LAUGHS
0:11:47 > 0:11:49# Fa, la, la, la, la, la
0:11:49 > 0:11:50MUSIC CUTS OUT
0:11:50 > 0:11:51Ooh...
0:11:52 > 0:11:54In December, Mark and the team
0:11:54 > 0:11:57are usually working their fingers to the bone...
0:11:57 > 0:12:00Christmas is a hairdresser's busiest time of the year.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03The period is probably two weeks,
0:12:03 > 0:12:06so you have two weeks to do everybody's hair.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10..but so far this year, business is worryingly slow.
0:12:11 > 0:12:15Mark puts it all down to their location.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17We're losing passing trade by being in this area.
0:12:17 > 0:12:22We need more parking, we need better surroundings.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26On standby for a last-minute Christmas rush
0:12:26 > 0:12:28is part-time stylist Richard.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31This is one of the nicest places I've ever actually worked.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33MARK CHUCKLES
0:12:33 > 0:12:37You're never asked for anything beyond what's reasonable.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40You don't mess around.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43Not when it comes to Christmas, he doesn't.
0:12:43 > 0:12:47- # It's the most wonderful time of the year... #
0:12:47 > 0:12:49I'm absolutely freezing.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53# With the kids jingle-belling and everyone... #
0:12:53 > 0:12:55Just hoping this ladder holds up.
0:12:55 > 0:12:59Perhaps these decorations will help pull in the punters
0:12:59 > 0:13:02for what might be Coray's very last City Road Christmas.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07The salon's been on the market for two years.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09But, in fact, in this climate,
0:13:09 > 0:13:12trying to sell is almost like a big chain around your neck.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14This is the second Christmas that I've said,
0:13:14 > 0:13:16"I don't want to be here next year."
0:13:16 > 0:13:19Fingers crossed, I won't be here next year.
0:13:19 > 0:13:20But who knows?
0:13:27 > 0:13:31Of course, Christmas is a time for sharing the love.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33We do pick-and-mix condoms.
0:13:33 > 0:13:34- Shall I show you?- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37Across the road at Passion,
0:13:37 > 0:13:39Faith is gearing up for the Christmas rush.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44At Christmas time, I'll sell more of the expensive toys.
0:13:44 > 0:13:48Girls also like wrapping themselves up like Christmas presents,
0:13:48 > 0:13:51so they will come and buy a sexy outfit.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53Take the layers off and see what's underneath!
0:13:53 > 0:13:54SHE CHUCKLES
0:13:54 > 0:13:56A surprise!
0:13:59 > 0:14:03This will be Faith's 16th year of selling festive season fun.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06I actually started up at the end of a recession.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09Things were on the up, confidence was good.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12There was times when I had to call in my sister or my friends,
0:14:12 > 0:14:16or even my kids, to help me pack orders because we had so many,
0:14:16 > 0:14:17and we couldn't cope -
0:14:17 > 0:14:20and that was when I was working from my dining room table.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23There have been some really tough times, though,
0:14:23 > 0:14:25and, you know, the mood in the nation
0:14:25 > 0:14:28definitely, definitely affects how business is.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31So, if people feel...
0:14:31 > 0:14:34crappy, then sales are crappy, and that's sad.
0:14:34 > 0:14:38Cash flow is stressful, because everything that we have in here,
0:14:38 > 0:14:41I have to buy it, and it sits there until I sell it.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43So, it's money sat there.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46So, there's money that isn't in my bank.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49So, that's not the fun part of the business.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51You know, I'm not a multi-million-pound company -
0:14:51 > 0:14:52I'm still a small business.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55So, I'm fortunate that I can make my own living,
0:14:55 > 0:14:58but I'm not rich yet, so maybe I have to keep looking
0:14:58 > 0:15:00to find the perfect product, or something,
0:15:00 > 0:15:03to make me loads of money!
0:15:03 > 0:15:07# There's a feeling of Christmas... #
0:15:07 > 0:15:11Finding and stocking the product that will keep her customers smiling
0:15:11 > 0:15:13is Faith's mission for Christmas...
0:15:15 > 0:15:19Let's see what we've had in today from our lovely suppliers.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22..whatever shape it might come in.
0:15:22 > 0:15:23Ooh!
0:15:23 > 0:15:26See, now, who wouldn't want one of those for Christmas?
0:15:26 > 0:15:28Ooh, we have a vibrating mascara...?
0:15:29 > 0:15:32I don't know, it looks kind of spiky.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34Each to their own!
0:15:34 > 0:15:36Excuse me just a second. I will be right back.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41Over the years, Faith has carved herself a reputation
0:15:41 > 0:15:43as City Road's sex toy therapist.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46Right, so that's like a Rabbit.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49It's way bigger than these.
0:15:49 > 0:15:50It's dead kinky.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54She's built herself a loyal client base...
0:15:54 > 0:15:56I've got so many lovely customers. I love my customers.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58If you need any help, just give me a shout.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02..and tonight she wants to celebrate with them.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04Tonight is, um...
0:16:04 > 0:16:07our sweet 16th birthday party.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09It's 16 years since we set the business up.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13So, it's really great for me to have my family and friends around me,
0:16:13 > 0:16:15to help me celebrate it.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17So, I'll feel good tonight.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20I've got all this, and it's brought up my kids,
0:16:20 > 0:16:24and it's helped me pay my mortgage, and...
0:16:24 > 0:16:26it's mine.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30# Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la
0:16:30 > 0:16:32# Que alegre se siente el alma!
0:16:32 > 0:16:33# Fa, la, la, la, la... #
0:16:33 > 0:16:37At Coray And Co, there seems to be some Christmas magic in the air.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39# Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la... #
0:16:39 > 0:16:40'Hi, Mark, it's Cat,
0:16:40 > 0:16:42'calling from Moginie James estate agents.'
0:16:42 > 0:16:44'Um, I wondered if you could give me a quick call -
0:16:44 > 0:16:45'it is really good news.'
0:16:47 > 0:16:49After two years of being on the market,
0:16:49 > 0:16:53Mark has finally had a decent offer on the salon.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55Lovely decorations, as usual!
0:16:55 > 0:16:56MARK LAUGHS
0:16:56 > 0:16:58When Mark's bank manager drops in for a cut and colour,
0:16:58 > 0:17:01he can't wait to share the good news.
0:17:01 > 0:17:02We had an offer.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05It's a few thousand pounds away from what I want.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07Um...but I said yes.
0:17:07 > 0:17:11So I come upstairs, told Michael and Amy I've said yes.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14- Mm-hmm?- And, um, they all went into panic attack.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17- "Oh, my God, it's real! Oh, my God!" - Still having a panic. - SHE LAUGHS
0:17:17 > 0:17:18Like many of his clients,
0:17:18 > 0:17:21Mark's bank manager thinks that selling up and leaving City Road
0:17:21 > 0:17:23is a smart move.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28I think that Mark's relocation to an affluent suburb
0:17:28 > 0:17:32would certainly help increase his new client base.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35And his existing client base will follow him wherever he goes.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37But we're not going to Pontypridd.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39SHE LAUGHS
0:17:39 > 0:17:42Of course, the ones that you want to get rid of,
0:17:42 > 0:17:45you can just, you know, run away without telling them, is it?
0:17:45 > 0:17:49- Yes! I will definitely run away without telling a few clients.- Yeah.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53# I will follow him follow him wherever he may go... #
0:17:53 > 0:17:57I don't think I'll be sad. I think I'll be happy.
0:17:57 > 0:17:58It's a new venture.
0:17:58 > 0:18:02It's the reinvention of the salon - which is what we need
0:18:02 > 0:18:06to inject that little bit of excitement back into life.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08Fingers crossed, it'll happen.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11# ..Keep me away. #
0:18:12 > 0:18:14While Mark is dreaming of what might be,
0:18:14 > 0:18:16next door, at Physical Graffiti,
0:18:16 > 0:18:20the big day has arrived for cancer patient Linda.
0:18:20 > 0:18:21I've been excited all day!
0:18:21 > 0:18:23SHE CHUCKLES
0:18:23 > 0:18:25Last year, Linda had a double mastectomy
0:18:25 > 0:18:27and breast reconstruction,
0:18:27 > 0:18:28which left her without natural nipples.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33I'll draw them on first, and we'll get them...
0:18:33 > 0:18:35how you want them.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38Linda and her husband Alan are hoping that tattoo artist Chris
0:18:38 > 0:18:41can help them draw a line under the past
0:18:41 > 0:18:43and give Linda back her confidence.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47With Linda, you're not just doing a pretty picture on somebody.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50You're giving her something that has been taken away.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53Whereabouts?
0:18:53 > 0:18:56I mean, do you want them kind of, you know, pointing?
0:18:56 > 0:18:58Straight on? It's...
0:18:58 > 0:19:01- We can...- Straight on, I think? - Straight on.- Yeah?
0:19:01 > 0:19:05Alan's no stranger to the tattoo artist's needle, either.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08See, that's another one I got.
0:19:08 > 0:19:09Oh, God, classic!
0:19:09 > 0:19:11- How much was that?- £3.50.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15- Yeah? Ha-ha! - I think it was about 1974.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18Um, I'll draw them on first.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20And then we can go from there.
0:19:20 > 0:19:25But it's more about...putting them kind of in the right place, I guess.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32Linda isn't the first person in her family
0:19:32 > 0:19:34that's faced a battle with cancer.
0:19:35 > 0:19:41My, um, eldest sister, she had both breasts removed...
0:19:41 > 0:19:45but then, unfortunately, she had secondary cancer,
0:19:45 > 0:19:47and she died at the age of 62.
0:19:49 > 0:19:54My other sister, she had, um, a left mastectomy, at the age of 42.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58Because of my two sisters, I was high risk of breast cancer,
0:19:58 > 0:20:02just waiting and wondering if it's going to happen to me.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09So, when Linda find a lump in her breast in 2014,
0:20:09 > 0:20:11she feared the worst.
0:20:12 > 0:20:13It was cancer.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18Just so hard to take, when it eventually comes along.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22Very hard.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24- Are you ready?- Mm-hmm.
0:20:24 > 0:20:25Here we go.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31In the past, Linda's been conscious of what people might think
0:20:31 > 0:20:33of her nipple-less breasts.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36We went to the...swimming pool this morning,
0:20:36 > 0:20:38and, um, there's a lot of women there
0:20:38 > 0:20:41that don't know what I've been through,
0:20:41 > 0:20:44and I was sort of pulling my top on really quick, you know?
0:20:44 > 0:20:46sort of hiding a little bit.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48I do that anyway, if I'm in a changing room.
0:20:48 > 0:20:49I'm like...
0:20:49 > 0:20:52I've got my towel up and I'm trying to get my pants on!
0:20:52 > 0:20:53I know, that's what men are like.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55Yeah!
0:20:55 > 0:20:58I wasn't nervous about actually doing it,
0:20:58 > 0:21:01but nervous about - was she going to like it or not?
0:21:01 > 0:21:05You know? Cos it...it obviously meant a hell of a lot to her.
0:21:16 > 0:21:17Lovely.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19Great. Lovely.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21- Amazing.- Yeah.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23They look... They look real!
0:21:23 > 0:21:25They look great.
0:21:25 > 0:21:26Really, really pleased.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28It just looks natural, doesn't it?
0:21:28 > 0:21:30- Incredible.- Thank you very much.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32You've done a wonderful job.
0:21:32 > 0:21:33Thank you.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36I realise the impact that it's had.
0:21:36 > 0:21:37- Can I have a cuddle?- Aw!
0:21:37 > 0:21:39'She's really happy with it.'
0:21:39 > 0:21:40Been really looking forward to it,
0:21:40 > 0:21:42- I'm really pleased. - Thanks very much.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44- Great job. Thank you. - Thank you very much.- Wonderful.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47I imagine I'm going to be inundated with...
0:21:47 > 0:21:49nipples, at some time in the future.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51HE CHUCKLES
0:21:51 > 0:21:53In the end...
0:21:53 > 0:21:55I feel, er, more like myself now.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57- Yeah.- Don't I?
0:22:00 > 0:22:02Across the road, at Passion...
0:22:02 > 0:22:04That's electro sex.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07That is like a TENS machine.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10..preparations for tonight's party are in full swing.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12Whoa! More stuff!
0:22:12 > 0:22:14In the kitchen, things are hotting up...
0:22:17 > 0:22:20..but on the shop floor, Faith is way behind.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23I'm just in the middle of trying to get this stuff ready
0:22:23 > 0:22:26for tonight's party, and my label printer is jammed.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28I could do without that.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31I've got... Ooh, not too much time, either.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35For Faith, tonight is all about keeping her customers happy
0:22:35 > 0:22:37and coming back for more.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40It's the hardest business ever to get word-of-mouth advertising,
0:22:40 > 0:22:42so I don't that they'll go and tell their friends,
0:22:42 > 0:22:43but sometimes they do.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46It'll be all right on the night.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49With just a few minutes to go...
0:22:49 > 0:22:52I'm cheating now, I'm putting things without prices on out.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54..Faith manages to get the goodies out...
0:22:54 > 0:22:55Ooh!
0:22:55 > 0:22:57..just before the guests arrive.
0:22:59 > 0:23:04# Merry Christmas, darling
0:23:06 > 0:23:10# We're apart, that's true... #
0:23:10 > 0:23:13You two are going to be butlering through tonight for a bit,
0:23:13 > 0:23:16and selling raffle tickets, if you can.
0:23:19 > 0:23:20Woohoo, look at this!
0:23:26 > 0:23:31Ladies and gents, it is 16% off, because it's a Sweet 16 party, yeah.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33That's 1-6, not 6-0!
0:23:33 > 0:23:34Ha-ha-ha!
0:23:37 > 0:23:39It's going really well.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42We've got loads of people here, customers and friends and family,
0:23:42 > 0:23:43so it's really nice.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46We got the buff butlers going on, which I really like.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49And then, at nine o'clock, we'll have the raffle draw,
0:23:49 > 0:23:51so somebody is going to be winning a leather outfit.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53I hope it's not my dad.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00Um, it's 5.87 for this.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02Tills are ringing!
0:24:03 > 0:24:07I've got no idea what a vibrating mascara is. Do you?
0:24:07 > 0:24:09If you'd like to make your way down to the pole,
0:24:09 > 0:24:11our fashion show is about to start.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14DANCE MUSIC PLAYS
0:24:22 > 0:24:24- Yes!- Whoo!
0:24:24 > 0:24:25APPLAUSE
0:24:25 > 0:24:28If you have raffle tickets, gather up this end.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30And good luck!
0:24:30 > 0:24:33G-spot dildo, glass.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36- Woohoo!- I know everybody wants this one.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39Right... Screaming Lipstick that's not a lipstick.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43Sam Blake!
0:24:43 > 0:24:46- Yes! - LAUGHTER
0:24:46 > 0:24:48Looks like someone's had a lucky night!
0:24:49 > 0:24:52- What a night!- We just need a handbag to put it all in, now.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55What you need to do is put it on the tip of your nose.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58- Put it on...- Oh, jeez... God!
0:24:58 > 0:25:00As the party draws to a close,
0:25:00 > 0:25:03there seem to be plenty of satisfied customers.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06Bye, Aunt Denise. Thanks for coming.
0:25:06 > 0:25:07- What did you win?- Massage!
0:25:07 > 0:25:10- It's not a happy ending massage. - Aah!
0:25:15 > 0:25:18It's Christmas Eve...
0:25:20 > 0:25:23..and Mark and his team are getting ready
0:25:23 > 0:25:26for their traditional Christmas fancy dress competition.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28Good morning.
0:25:28 > 0:25:32We came across the idea through one of my management courses,
0:25:32 > 0:25:34that everybody dresses up Christmas Eve,
0:25:34 > 0:25:38and every client that comes in votes for the best-dressed person.
0:25:38 > 0:25:42The best-dressed person gets a prize.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45Mark is the most competitive out of all of us.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48He also seems to have abandoned all attempts to keep it classy.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51And it's all about...
0:25:51 > 0:25:53winning, isn't it?
0:25:53 > 0:25:56Not the taking part, then?
0:25:56 > 0:25:58He's the boss, so you kind of...
0:25:58 > 0:26:00you have to hold back a little bit, you know?
0:26:00 > 0:26:02Here we go!
0:26:02 > 0:26:05After weeks of keeping their home-made designs a secret,
0:26:05 > 0:26:07it's time for the big reveal.
0:26:08 > 0:26:10LAUGHTER
0:26:12 > 0:26:15Look at Olaf! Can I have Olaf?
0:26:16 > 0:26:20Last but not least is Richard's festive...
0:26:20 > 0:26:22creation.
0:26:22 > 0:26:26I just, er, stuck anything I could find Christmas themed to my jumper,
0:26:26 > 0:26:28- and that's basically it. - Competition's tough.
0:26:28 > 0:26:30Yeah, I think, er...
0:26:30 > 0:26:32- Yeah.- We might have a new contender.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34I need to get a beard for next year.
0:26:34 > 0:26:35THEY LAUGH
0:26:37 > 0:26:40This year was the only time I put effort into making it look good.
0:26:40 > 0:26:41And I was happy with it.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44The tinsel's a bit itchy, though.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47I suppose we just all see the good fun in it.
0:26:47 > 0:26:49It's Christmas Eve, it's a bit of fun.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51It's just good to dress up, take part.
0:26:51 > 0:26:52PHONE RINGS
0:26:52 > 0:26:54Good morning, Coray And Co, how can I help?
0:26:56 > 0:26:58Even on Christmas Eve, it's business as usual...
0:27:00 > 0:27:03..and the votes are rolling in.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07- Thank you.- No worries.
0:27:10 > 0:27:14A few cut and blow dries later, after shutting up shop...
0:27:14 > 0:27:15So...here we go.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18..it's time to count them in.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20And the first one is...
0:27:22 > 0:27:25..Mark. And the next one is Richard.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29HE LAUGHS
0:27:29 > 0:27:32One, two, three, four, five for Amy.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34It's a two-horse race.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37One, two, three...
0:27:37 > 0:27:40Me and Mark were neck and neck until I took the final vote.
0:27:40 > 0:27:42Sorry, Michael.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45Yeah, I was quite shocked Amy won.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47I thought, er... I thought it was an average effort,
0:27:47 > 0:27:50and, considering she didn't make it - her boyfriend made most of it.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52Michael, remember the Christmas spirit!
0:27:52 > 0:27:55And, as winner, we have a little gift.
0:27:55 > 0:27:56Aw, cool!
0:27:57 > 0:27:59Mascara!
0:28:00 > 0:28:02I'm still convinced it's a fix.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05- LAUGHTER - Yeah!- Well done.
0:28:05 > 0:28:07I'm over it, it's fine.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10Christmas 2016 isn't that far away.
0:28:10 > 0:28:15And welcome to the Coray And Co LAST City Road Christmas party.
0:28:15 > 0:28:16THEY LAUGH
0:28:19 > 0:28:21- Cheers, everybody!- ALL:- Cheers!
0:28:21 > 0:28:24From affluent Edwardian suburb...
0:28:24 > 0:28:26to modern urban high street,
0:28:26 > 0:28:31in its 110-year history, City Road has been many things -
0:28:31 > 0:28:33and, whilst the path ends here for some...
0:28:34 > 0:28:36- It looks quite classy, doesn't it? - It is, very.
0:28:36 > 0:28:38..for those who roll with the changes,
0:28:38 > 0:28:40there is still money to be made...
0:28:40 > 0:28:41Tills are ringing!
0:28:41 > 0:28:42..fun to be had...
0:28:42 > 0:28:44SHE LAUGHS
0:28:44 > 0:28:46..and a good fight to be fought...
0:28:46 > 0:28:47I can't feel it!
0:28:47 > 0:28:50..here on City Road.
0:28:50 > 0:28:56# All I want for Christmas is you, baby!
0:28:56 > 0:29:00# All I want for Christmas is you... #