GOOD THINGS COME IN SMALL SPACES

SIZE ISN’T EVERYTHING – AND NEITHER IS A BIG BUDGET. DON’T BELIEVE US? JUST LISTEN TO THESE BARBERS WHO HAVE TRANSFORMED THEIR SHOP WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK

Have you been considering sprucing up your barbershop but feel limited by your space or budget? Take inspiration from these five UK barbershop owners who found that a refresh and renovation doesn’t always need to break the bank.

ALFRED HEWITT RUNS A PRIVATE BARBER STUDIO LOCATED ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF TRIO HAIRDRESSING, BERKHAMSTED

“I had just moved into my own barber studio, so I needed to start from scratch. This was great because I could put my own design into the room and have it suit my style, but it meant there was a lot to do. You don’t need to hire a designer to make your space look great; I found Instagram to be a great source of inspiration.”

ALFRED’S ADVICE

“My advice would be instead of buying loads of decorative pieces all at once, add things in bit by bit and get a feel for what else you want. That way, you can spread out the cost and also ensure you don’t buy too much for the space. Things like artwork and plants are a good way of getting your personality across and giving the room life.”

REBECCA ESSEX-CROSSBY, OWNER OF KREW BARBERS, CREWKERNE, SOMERSET

“After six years in our old premises, unfortunate circumstances with our landlord and management company forced us to find a new home. As a brand, Krew has always had a vintage feel to it, which is perfect for Crewkerne. I love design and put Krew together myself.”

REBECCA’S ADVICE

“Utilising existing furniture makes a huge difference – I upcycled most of the free-standing display cabinets from our old shop to suit the new feel we’re striving for.”

RYAN LEWIS, OWNER OF CLUB13, HUL L

“I’ve always been drawn to the 80s synthwave style, and I really wanted to steer clear of the minimalist modern, Scandi style that a lot of shops and salons are taking on. It’s a personal preference that reflects my love for the vibrant and bold aesthetic of the 80s.”

RYAN’S ADVICE

“We didn’t have a huge amount of budget, so I opted for plain and understated furniture, focusing more on branding elements like signage and lighting. I really wanted to create a feeling and distinct atmosphere in the shop, like you feel fully immersed and part of the club.”

LEWIS GOLLIN, OWNER OF SCULPT STUDIOS, LINCOLN

“I wanted to create somewhere that immediately relaxed people, so for the design I was inspired by living spaces, like front rooms.”

LEWIS’ ADVICE

“Look to brands you appreciate outside of the hair community for inspiration. We looked at different studios and fashion houses, as when it comes to branding and colourways, these companies spend thousands. Instead of trying to create something original, adapt from something someone else has done. I found that you can have a lot more fun with designing this way as a lot of the stress is gone – because you know what will work.”

CLAIRE LAWRENCE, OWNER OF THE BARBER STATION, WALSALL

“I opened my own barbershop in January 2020… right before Covid-19. Eight weeks later we had to close, and even now, four years on, I think we’re still recovering. In 2023 I was considering closing down my business for good, but I didn’t want to give up – I’m so passionate about what I do. Instead, I decided to try and do the shop up a bit, to see if that could help boost business.”

CLAIRE’S ADVICE

“One thing that I’ve done, and it’s worked really well for me, is to ask my friends, family, and even customers, for help or advice. I was initially quoted £3k to have a private treatment room built within my barbershop, but one of my clients recommended his handyman, who was able to do it for £1k – and it looks great. Another client came in for a hair system, and it turns out he lays flooring for a living. We came to a deal where I did his service at a discounted rate, and he returned the favour.

“I would also suggest asking your clients for their opinions – some might have a great eye for detail. I put some wallpaper samples out, so clients could share their thoughts. It helps to foster a sense of loyalty, because if you end up choosing one that a lot of clients have liked, it shows you listen to them – and clients will be more inclined to keep returning to a barber they know listens.”

Best Buys

Stephen Ewings, National Design & Furniture Dept. Manager at Aston & Fincher, advises: “Start planning early and be realistic with timescales. Furniture can take anywhere from next day delivery to up to 20 weeks, depending on the products chosen. The last thing you want is to be forced into a furniture decision based purely on availability rather than getting the item you desire.”

Stephen recommends the Chester’s Barber Chair – the perfect option for more cost-concious barbers.

RRP: £1,250 + VAT, currently on offer for £749 +VAT

Salon Services’ hero product for barbers is the Dylan Barber’s Chair, which features intricate stitching and white piping, while its reclining control is discrete, yet well placed, for easy access.

Trade price: £506.44 ex. VAT

Chris Walsh, Scorpion Furniture Manager for Alan Howard, says: “My biggest piece of advice is to focus on creating a welcoming and professional atmosphere that enhances the customer experience. This could be upgrading key furniture pieces first such as barber chairs and mirrors, or enhancing the waiting area.” Chris recommends the Scorpion örebro: “Our best-selling chair comes complete with a fully reclining backrest, adjustable headrest, now complete with a padded footrest for extra comfort.”

Trade price: £550 ex.VAT

Takara Belmont’s top pick is the Apollo 2, which has endured for seven decades thanks to its matchless quality and unrivalled performance. Many barbers around the world still use the same Apollo 2’s that they purchased many decades ago, which is testament to its strength and endurance.

Trade price: £2,350-£2,880. Available with 0%, zero deposit Finance Lease