Urban Retreat Returns to the UK With Luxury Suites for Independent Beauty Professionals

Urban Retreat is relaunching with a new business model, opening private suites for independent hair, beauty and wellness professionals at One Smithfield this November. The relaunch brings founder George Hammer and International Development Director Reena Hammer together with hair industry educator John Gillespie, who takes on the role of CEO of Urban Retreat Suites.

The new concept gives professionals control over their own space, services, pricing and client experience, while operating within a premium setting under the Urban Retreat name. It marks another change of direction for a business whose London history stretches back to the late 1990s.

Founded by George Hammer in the late 1990s, Urban Retreat began on Marylebone High Street before expanding into Covent Garden and, in 2001, taking up residence on Harrods’ fifth floor. Its tenure at the department store ended in 2018, when Harrods brought its beauty operation in-house, paving the way for Urban Retreat’s next incarnation: The White House in Knightsbridge. Opened in 2019, the five-storey address brought hair, beauty and wellness together with hospitality. Its eventual closure was attributed to Cadogan’s regeneration plans for the area, prompting a move to 18–19 Long Lane, where the forthcoming Urban Retreat Suites will open.

“Urban Retreat has always stood for exceptional talent, service and experience. The industry has evolved, and this is our opportunity to evolve with it. Urban Retreat Suites gives outstanding professionals the stature and surroundings of a leading luxury brand, while allowing them to own what they create, from their client experience to their future growth,” says George Hammer, founder of Urban Retreat.

Alongside the individual suites, the longer-term ambition is to develop a meeting place for the wider professional community. Education, mentoring, events and partnerships are planned as part of that vision, with space for brand launches, industry gatherings and creative exchange. The aim is to support both the commercial and creative sides of running an independent business.

“Independence should feel exciting, not isolating. We want to create an environment where talented people can make their own decisions and build their own brands, but still feel part of something with energy, ambition and genuine industry connection. Our promise is simple: work for yourself, never by yourself,” says John Gillespie, CEO of Urban Retreat Suites.

The concept centres on four principles: Elevate, Create, Control and Belong. In practice, these bring together business development, freedom to create an individual client experience, greater control over working life and finances, and access to a professional community.

“This is exciting for me, both personally and for the industry. Urban Retreat has been part of my life for 20 years - from building our experience at Harrods to exploring what's next for the brand internationally. Urban Retreat Suites is the future, and an evolution for a brand with such iconic heritage,” says Reena Hammer, International Development Director at Urban Retreat.

The first Urban Retreat Suites will open at One Smithfield, 18–19 Long Lane, London EC1A 9PL, in November. Prospective suite holders can register through Urban Retreat’s website for early access, private viewings and application information.