Scot Barber Shop Business Sees Spike in Openings

SCOTLAND: According to research conducted by the British Barbers’ Association and premium men’s grooming brand The Bluebeards Revenge, there has been a 15% increase in barbershop openings over the past twelve months in Scotland, 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.

With men now willing to put a greater level of trust in their barbers thanks to the rising standards driven in part by the British Barbers’ Association, many are also choosing to part with cash for more indulgent treatments such as the hot towel shave. It seems that Scots 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 British Barbers’ Association, suggested that the ever-flourishing trend for men’s grooming was continuing to add fuel to the fire.

“Men are looking after themselves a lot more and have finally realized 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,” he said.

To coincide with the new findings, the British Barbers’ Association and The Bluebeards Revenge joined forces to launch a new competition—Scotland’s Best Barber. 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 in late April.