Just a short back and sides: How Beckham and R-Patz are leading the trend for men going to the barbers rather than expensive salons

  • 150 barber shops opened last year despite the struggling economy
  • Men turning to cheap buzz cuts over flamboyant unisex salons 
  • More barber shops opened in 2012 than any other kind of business apart from charity shops

By Paul Bentley

PUBLISHED: 07:33 EST, 2 June 2013 | UPDATED: 04:20 EST, 3 June 2013


Belt-tightening and budgeting have been a feature of our ailing economy for years – but at last there’s a reason to celebrate an increase in cuts.

Barber shops are enjoying a sudden boost, driven by the demand by young men for cheap clipped styles over the more expensive fashions offered by unisex salons.

More than 150 new premises opened in the UK last year – a rise of 8 per cent in High Streets and shopping centres and 6.24 per cent overall.

David Beckham's traditional quiff hair do and Robert Pattinson's
David Beckham's traditional quiff hair do and Robert Pattinson's

Trend-setters: David Beckham's traditional quiff (left) and Robert Pattinson's cropped hair (right) are credited with sparking a trend among men to get their trims at the barbers

The only operations to open more sites in 2012 were charities, figures by the Local Data Company reveal.

 

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Experts believe the sudden resurgence is due to post-recession economising and a return to fashion of the more ‘masculine’ hairstyles sported by stars such as footballer David Beckham and Twilight actor Robert Pattinson.

Both have set trends for retro cuts of the 1920s and 1950s, such as those with  short or shaved back and sides.

Short back and sides: The Great Gatsby, starring Tobey Maguire and Leonardo Dicaprio,
he Great Gatsby, starring Tobey Maguire and Leonardo Dicaprio,

Short back and sides: The Great Gatsby, starring Tobey Maguire and Leonardo Dicaprio, has also helped the fashion for smarter, more traditional hair-cuts

Neat and tidy: Men have also been emulating Joey Essex, left, and Kanye West, right
Neat and tidy: Men have also been emulating Joey Essex, left, and Kanye West, right

Neat and tidy: Men have also been emulating Joey Essex, left, and Kanye West, right

Barbers are also cheap to set up, require less space than salons and do not demand any qualifications or licence to operate.

As other retailers have closed down, barbers are able to get good rent deals on small stores and the trade is an attractive option for unemployed men – requiring little more than purchasing chairs, mirrors and clippers.

Paul Taylor, of Taylor Taylor barbers, a Sheffield business started by his grandfather in 1927, said many of the latest trends require skills with clippers and shaving equipment – the preserve of barber shops.

‘Guys recognise it’s a skilful profession quite different from a women’s hairdresser’s,’ he said.

Tradition: 150 barber shops opened last year despite most of the High Street struggling

Tradition: 150 barber shops opened last year despite most of the High Street struggling

Karen Waldron, who owns the Barber Shop Group, said the relative cheapness of barbers over unisex salons has helped them avoid the economic woe suffered by bookshops, music stores and technology shops.

‘They don’t want to go to Toni & Guy, it’s too expensive,’ she said.

Mike Taylor, director of the British Barbers’ Association, said: ‘Men are looking after themselves a lot more and have finally realised that the barber is the best person to cut their hair, not a hairdresser.’

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Beckham leading. If I was on fire and Beckham said jump in the river, I think I would rather burn. Please give us a break from this man and his plastic family.

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I donīt believe only 150 barbers have opened in the past year. In Colchester alone, there are at least a dozen new places, mostly Turkish run. Fine for basic cuts, but a week of training doesnīt give the experience for more complicated haircuts.

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Anyone reading this know any men who regularly go to these expensive salons? Thought not.

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Absolute balls. What are you taking about?

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Aside from a few sad types who followed the "curtains" and "madchester" style of haircuts in the early to mid 90's, and the "fauxhawk" more recently, shaved back and sides and longer on top has never really gone out of style since the late 80's. I've only used a "salon" on occasion when regular barber has been closed.

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I think that lot are are following our trend us guys have been going to the barbers for years

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You have to have pretty low ambitions in life if you want to be like Joey Essex.

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Some of the Cypriot banks went into the haircut business recently . They were very expensive (minimum price c40,000 euros) like the army they were mandatory and lastly you didn't even have to turn up. Funny old world.

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Experts .... Give me a break !

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Its simple really. Real men with hair go to barber shops. Our local barber gives an amazing haircut for 4 euros.

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