Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

Knaresborough barbers celebrates 20 years in business

Knaresborough barber shop, The Barber Asylum, celebrated 20 years in Knaresborough last week with a day of festivity.

The Barber Asylum, on the High Street, was first opened in Knaresborough on Cheapside by Alex Tabor.

After 20 years Mr Tabor has said barbering has definitely changed, with new styles and trends keeping him and his five staff on their toes.

He said:

“It feels good it seems to have gone really quick. We’ve had customers that have supported us from day one, we’ve got to know them really well. We’ve also watched some of our youngest customers grow up and go off to university.”

The shop is looking to hire one or two new barbers currently:

“Covid was a bit of a nightmare, we lost three members of staff. We’ve just recruited EJ but it’s been really bad getting staff. People have moved out of the industry over covid and there’s probably been a bit of a lag with the colleges getting people trained.”

Mr Tabor also owns Bluebeards Barber Shop on Commercial Street which opened 18 years ago.

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Former Harrogate Convention Centre operations head promoted

A former head of operations at Harrogate Convention Centre has taken up a senior post at Leeds First Direct Arena.

Martin McInulty, who has 20 years experience in the industry, will become general manager at the arena.

He said:

“I have lived and worked in Leeds for over 20 years and I have a real passion for the city.

“I started my events career at Leeds Town Hall in 2000. In this time, I have worked at some of the region’s most iconic venues.”

Normal Monday opening hours at City Barbers in High Skellgate, Ripon are 8am to 5pm — but today was no normal Monday.

With no appointment necessary, nothing could be left to chance.

Brian Knowles, a regular at the shop for more than 20 years, was first in the queue at 6.30am.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“I’ve been waiting 24 weeks for this since November 8 and it feels great.”

Brian Knowles, first in the queue after a 24-week wait to have his hair professionally cut.

With a fine head of hair to look after, Mr Knowles admitted that he had bought a ‘do it yourself kit’ to keep those annoying straggling hairs off his ears during lockdown.

He said:

“I had to make sure the DIY kit was fully charged, as I didn’t want it cutting out on me while I was using it.”

Help was at hand when granddaughter Isobel stopped by to give Mr Knowles a trim.

But he admits:

“Nothing can beat having it done professionally'”

As they waited their turn in one of the three chairs working at full capacity, the Stray Ferret heard some bad DIY hair day stories.

With names withheld to protect relationships and avoid embarrassment, they included:

“My wife has been having a good hack at mine from time to time. I’m just lucky to still have ears!”

“I tried a do it yourself job and cut out a great clump of hair — I won’t be doing that again in a hurry!”

Read more:

• Flashback to the Ripon barber queue of July 4
• Ripon hairdressers making up for lost time

City Barbers, in line with other barbers and hairdressers, faces a busy day as they operate with strict social distancing and hygiene measures in place.

A new barbers is opening in Harrogate town centre next week.

The Scissors Project will open on John Street on Tuesday. The salon was an idea that came out of lockdown for experienced barber, John Scott.

Following months at home, John was eager for a new challenge and found the “perfect spot” in the town centre. Since receiving the keys two weeks ago he has renovated the space to function as a barber shop, ensuring appropriate distancing between the chairs.

John said:

“I’ve always wanted my own place but it’s never been the right time. During lockdown I started looking and I saw this place so it’s gone from me not looking for a place to me being here now.

“Even in this time it is still an essential service, people are never going to stop getting haircuts. I think for me personally and the industry as a whole covid is something we’ll have to get used to. Now that the rules have changed slightly it’s helped a lot. I don’t think it’s going to change anytime soon.”

Its owner hopes its central location will encourage business.

Read more:

• After covid cancelled her travel plans, one Harrogate hairdresser fulfilled a different dream and opened up her own salon.
• When hair salons opened in July safety measures had to be put in place.

The Scissors Project has already been building interest before it opens, and John hopes to employ more staff if business gets busy.

“We’ve been generating a bit of interest on social media to get people used to a new place opening. If it gets busy I’ll look into bringing another barber in and an apprentice.”

Hair cuts are in high demand and the hairdressers and barbers of Harrogate are ready to serve their clients but the experience will have changed.

Many will reopen today with all members of staff wearing visors. Chairs have been placed within a one metre distance or screens have been put in between stations to maintain safety for staff and customers. The usual expectations that accompany a hair cut such as drinks and magazines won’t be available.

The new experience could see clients being asked to wear masks, their coats and bags placed in paper bags to combat cross-contamination and one barber shop said they won’t be offering bear trims or hair washing.

Michael Mackinnon is the owner of the Barber & Mack in Harrogate, said:

“We filled up the first two weeks within the first 24 hours we have split day shifts with three barbers at a time to ensure we are all spaced out. Each of the barbers has their own equipment and products that are kept in individual boxes.

“We aren’t offering hair washing but are asking clients to come with clean hair and we will just spray it down. We will be asking people to wear masks for the first two weeks for extra safety.”

Wearing visors is within the government guidelines to prevent transmission as salons reopen.

Read more:

• Ripon hairdressers are ready to reopen today following a huge wave of demand for appointments.
• Masks and visors could be the new norm for staff as they prepare to reopen pubs and restaurants. 

Hairdressers are having to work hard to change their habits to limit the amount of contact with their clients.

Gerri Dangerfield Keane owns Dangerfield and Keane salon in Harrogate, he said:

“We are trying to limit our contact points so nothing is being transferred when clients enter the shop. The way we’re approaching this is it’s not short term its for two years everything we have put in such as the screens can be lowered and raised as and when they are needed.

“We have to adjust to it but it will be very different for all of us, it’s what I’ve always done but I’m going to have to do it so differently.”

Jenny Addyman recently won the regional finals of the prestigious hairdressing competition, “Trend Vision Award” and will now compete at the national finals. She spoke of her excitement to return to work:

“I am excited to see my clients as its been a long time. I’m already fully booked until the middle August, of course it’ll be a little different with visors and fewer stylists. But im excited to be back its the longest I’ve not worked since I was about 15.”