The number of female barbers in the uk is revealed

A survey has revealed that the growing number of female barbers as industry finally sheds it’s ‘male only’ tag. A growing number of barbers in the UK are now female, exciting new figures from The Bluebeards Revenge male grooming brand have revealed. The survey shows that 24% per cent of barbers in the UK are now female, up from just over 10% back in 2015. The Bluebeards Revenge analysed data from its internal database, which showed of its 6,004 barber records, 1,419 were female. This compares to just 434 of 4,126 records in 2015 (full survey results can be read below). The brand has attributed the rising numbers to increasing standards as well as changing attitudes towards gender equality. Sophie Collins, a barbershop owner from north Wales and an official ambassador for The Bluebeards Revenge, said she was encouraged to read the latest findings and believed it was only matter of time when females would make up half of the barber workforce. As a female barber, Sophie has had to face many challenges. Some men not only didn't want her to cut their hair, they would mock her and say: "You’re not going to cut me or mess up my hair are you." Some would even walk out of her barbershop when they realised she was a female. Sophie, who was named the best wet shaving barber in Wales in both 2017 and 2018, said: “When I first started out on my barbering journey back in 2013 it was such a hard business for a female to break into because it was so male-dominated. The female barbers, unfortunately, that were successful five to six years ago were perhaps the good looking ones. “I remember the days when men would walk into my barbershop, take one look at me and walk straight out in disgust. Fortunately this has changed and men have moved on and are much more liberal and open-minded. The fact I’m a female has become irrelevant and it’s just accepted that I’m not a bloke. “I want to use my profile and success to inspire and encourage even more females into the industry, as it’s such a rewarding career path.” Nick Gibbens, spokesperson for The Bluebeards Revenge, said the findings were hugely encouraging and showed how far the industry had come in recent years. He explained: “I remember the days when this was a male only industry and female barbers were few and far between. We have been working hard to promote gender equality in the industry and the signs are looking positive. There is still so much more to do but if the industry pulls together then I see no reason why these figures won’t continue to improve.” Barbering is currently enjoying a remarkable renaissance here in the UK, with statistics showing that barbershops are outperforming beauty salons, nail bars and health clubs when it comes to opening the most retail stores. The Local Data Company’s Retail and Leisure Trends Report 2017/2018 found that barbershops also outgrew other retail businesses such as restaurants, bars, tobacconists, café and tearooms, pizza takeaways, coffee shops and mobile phone stores. These findings follow another survey from The Bluebeards Revenge which showed 95% of men still visit the high street to go to their barbershop or hairdresser. NUMBER OF FEMALE BARBERS IN THE UK - last five years 2015: 434 of 4,126 (10.5%) 2016: 679 of 4,561 (14.8%) 2017: 911 of 5,235 (17.4%) 2018: 1,087 of 5,786 (18.7%) 2019: 1,419 of 6,004 (23.6%)