THE MODERN BARBER AWARDS FINALISTS ARE HERE!

We won’t lie it’s been a much longer wait this year to announce the finalists of the Modern Barber Awards 2020 than we ever anticipated. From lockdown through to Trimdependence Day, the industry has shown its mettle. And there couldn’t be a better time to reward the industry and the stars within it.

A huge thank you to all who entered, we were blown away with the number of entries and the talent within our industry. We will keep you posted on how the final of the awards will take place. Due to COVID-19 throwing a huge curveball we are working on bringing you an event that rewards your hard work – and complies with social distancing regulations.

Head to www.modernbarber.co.uk to see the finalists in categories including Best All Round Barber, sponsored by MVRCK by Mitch UK, Best Shop Interior, sponsored by Takara Belmont and Best Team, sponsored by Wahl UK.

FREE HAIRCUTS FOR DELIVEROO DRIVERS

The London School of Barbering is offering free haircuts, wet shaves and beard trimming to Deliveroo riders in London and Manchester. Riders can claim their free haircut on the LSB website until the end of October. Michael Kontos, Company Director at London School of Barbering says: “Deliveroo riders continue to serve as key workers who keep communities running during these periods of lockdown and restricted movement. London School of Barbering wants to give back by providing them with another essential service: a haircut, free of charge.”

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO THE LIONS BARBER COLLECTIVE

In five short years the Lions Barber Collective has changed the conversation around men’s mental health. Recognising that hair professionals are in a unique position to lend a welcome ear to clients, founder Tom Chapman created a charity that armed barbers and hairdressers with the skills they could use to prevent male suicide.

To celebrate their anniversary, the charity is urging UK barbers to take training to ensure they can spot the signs of declining mental health. With someone in the UK taking their own life every 120 minutes, 75% of them men, the need for action is more crucial than ever. Their clinically-backed training programme BarberTalk is a vital tool that can literally help save lives. Visit www. lionsbarbercollective.com/barbertalk to find out more.

Over the last five years the charity has gone from strength to strength, and the journey can be seen in the documentary ‘The £1.7 Million Haircut’ which follows Tom breaking down the stigma around men’s mental health. Tom meets with influential leaders to expose the impact suicide has on communities, healthcare services and the economy. It’s an inspiring watch and shows just how important our industry is.

NHBF RELEASES STATE OF THE INDUSTRY SURVEY

The National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) has released the results of their recent survey. Conducted across UK barbershops and hair and beauty salons, the results are now being used to put pressure on the government to support our industry which currently contributes to over £7.5bn in turnover for the UK economy.

The survey, which was undertaken between 20-31 August, received just over 2,000 responses. Here’s just some of the results...

Whilst not many had yet made redundancies, almost a third said they expected to cut staff in the next three months and 44% could not guarantee job security.

Hilary Hall, NHBF chief executive said: “The recovery of the hair and beauty sector is dependent on additional help from the government. We expect them to consider additional measures such as hardship grants, VAT reductions, further extensions to business rates, relief and restraint on proposed wage increases, amongst other methods.” Here’s hoping for a brighter future.

HAIR INDUSTRY BOOK LAUNCH

Owner of Esquire Barbershop Tony Haresign has launched a book entitled UOMO – Hair Collection Mastery, How To Create Your Own Amazing Hair Collection And Get It Published. Within the book he shares how to plan, shoot and publish your own men’s hair collection. You can currently get a free copy of the book by visiting www. haircollectionmastery. com/bookoffer. An online course on creating hair collections launches in November and a wait list is available at www. haircollectionmastery.com

BARBERSRIDE 2020 SMASHES TARGETS

The fourth year of the annual BarbersRide presented itself with obvious challenges thanks to COVID-19. But against all the odds, 28 bikers enjoyed the ride of their lives, made great friendships along the journey and raised much-needed funds for the Make-A-Wish children’s charity.

Over their 5-day adventure, the ride stopped off at The Company Of Master Barbers Southport; 6 Hub, Llangollen; Bonds Barbershop, Bournemouth; The Heartbreak Club Barbershop, Leigh-On-Sea and Gilly’s Barbershop, Basildon.

The event has previously raised £39k for London’s Great Ormond Street, Liverpool’s Alder Hey children’s hospitals and Make-A-Wish charity. This year they smashed targets with funds currently over £19k and more donations still expected! MB congratulates all the barber bikers involved. 

IAIN CROCKART