Scottish barbershops on the increase
Published
11th Dec 2015
by bathamm
Business is booming for Scottish barbershops as they make a return to high streets across the country, according research by the British Barbers’ Association and premium men’s grooming brand The Bluebeards Revenge.
The research reveals a surge of 15% in barbershop openings over the past 12 months, with the total number of those trading on Scottish high streets now standing at 1,345 – an increase of 175 compared to this time last year.
The return of the short-back-and-sides hairstyles made popular by the likes of celebrities Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham and Gareth Bale has sparked a rise in the number of men paying frequent visits to their local barbers, with such high-fashion looks requiring regular maintenance to keep them in shape, claims the BBA.
It seems that Scottish men are now even willing to pay more to maintain their improved image too, with the average price of a haircut now standing 90p higher than a year ago, at £12.05.
Mike Taylor, director of the BBA said: “Men are looking after themselves a lot more and have finally realised that the barber is the best person to cut their hair, rather than a hairdresser. There is also a rising demand for hot towel shaves, and salons fail to offer this service.”
To coincide with the new findings, the British Barbers’ Association and The Bluebeards Revenge have joined forces to launch a new competition - Scotland’s Best Barber. The competition will see a search to track down the ultimate skill in men’s hair cutting and styling, with Britain’s Best Shave 2015 winner Luigi Caterino, of The Italian Job barbershop in Galashiels, taking his place on the judging panel.
The competition is open to anyone currently practicing their trade on Scottish soil, with the top 25 barbers facing an online public vote where examples of their work will be up for scrutiny. The top three scoring barbers will then go on to perform in the national final at the 2016 Scottish Barber trade show, held at Edinburgh’s RHC over Sunday 24th and Monday 25th April.