Mark Creed, one third of an almost-holy hairdressing trinity, started out sweeping up hair and making tea. Now, he and his two partners, Sam Harding and Andrew Hall, have opened a second Philosophy hair salon.

Set in a three-storey building dating from 1742, this is to be their flagship, and replaces the tiny space where the business began just four and a half years ago.

However, the trio have worked together for a lot longer than that - they trained in the illustrious Mahogany for almost 12 years.

"We all had a similar dream, and the same artistic vision," said Mr Creed, who specialises in hair colouring, and helps companies such as Wella and L'Oreal to test new products.

"And our vision of what a salon should be was the same. We wanted to take back control of our situation, and have autonomy to do what we felt was right."

So, even for a simple trim, Philosophy will spend an hour on your hair. It does not want to rush customers, it wants to pamper them.

"For us, it's all about getting hair the way we want, and taking time over it," said Mr Creed.

"We will talk to you about your hair, and get the style that suits you and your lifestyle.

"We want to preserve the artistic side of things, and not compromise on what we feel is important."

This all sounds very serious for a hair cut, but Mr Creed and his partners are genuine about getting it right. Philosophy is founded on an ideology: precision haircutting and personal service in a relaxed setting, and at an affordable price.

That is not to say they do not attract the stars: Mr Hall tends to royal tresses every now and again, and it was the Philosophy salon in Abingdon where Chelsy Davy caused a stir earlier this year, by turning up to get her hair done for Prince Harry's passing-out ball.

Philosophy's first salon was in a tiny premises in Witney, just next door to the ultra-modern new premises.

"Our first salon was a nightmare," laughed Mr Creed. "Looking back it was a mistake going into such a small salon. We outgrew it in a couple of months and then we were stuck with it."

Turnover at the business was more than £1m last year - a rise of 35 per cent on 2004.

The new salon features a wall of wellbeing,' which lets a specific frequency of light flood the salon, and recreates the natural effects of sunlight.

Solar power has also been utilised to its full extent, with a glass atrium ceiling and solar panels on the roof, while innovative sun pipes have been installed in all windowless spaces to channel natural light throughout the building.

So, is this just a cost-saving exercise, or something they really believe in?

"We are all genuinely interested in doing our bit for the environment," said Mr Creed.

"And I think if people see what a business, can do, they might think about doing something themselves."

Indeed, it is not only the environment they want to do as much as possible for - their 30 staff mean everything to them.

"Hairdressing is still seen as something that only dimwits should do, and has never had any credibility as a career," quipped Mr Creed.

"No career advisor will recommend it, it's notoriously bad for the conditions in which staff must work. They often go without a lunch break and get badly paid."

Philosophy wants to change all that, and is starting by making its salon a fun place to work.

Mr Creed explained: "We want our staff to get paid well, and have enough time off - and have a lifestyle.

"For instance, we are introducing a system where everyone gets their birthday off. It's little things like that which can make a difference."

Philosophy also has its own internal training system, and sacrifices its Tuesday trade to close for the day and train staff.

Although it just Mr Creed speaking on behalf of Philosophy, his partners, Mr Harding and Mr Hall, are just as hands-on and involved as him.

"It's a real team effort, and although we have worked together for 16 years, there's no fighting. We all have our own fort in the business, and complement each other very well," he said.

"I've always thought we had a very special forumla, but I honestly didn't think we'd get so big so quick."

So what is the secret of their sucess?

"I think, in a world where everything is automated, we offer an oasis of calm," he said.

And they want to spread their calming gospel throughout the county, creating a brotherhood - Mr Creed is careful not to use the word franchise - of salons.

"We want to open salons in places like Banbury, Woodstock, Cirencester, Thame and, if the right premises comes up, central Oxford.

"We will train the staff, and I would have to get around to each salon at least once a week to make sure everything is being done correctly - we do not want to compromise, or dilute the business."

n Contact: Philosophy, 01993 776406