IT might seem obvious to say barber shops have not been affected by the drift to the internet – after all, you cannot get your hair cut online (at least not yet). But after years in which high streets have struggled, any sign of hope is welcome, and the resilience – and growth – of the humble barber’s is a sign of hope.
According to the latest figures, 90 per cent of Scottish men go to the high street to have their hair cut, which has meant barbers have not generally followed the exodus from town centres. The trend for beards and high-end grooming has also led to a growth in the sector as young entrepreneurs open trendy new barber shops to cater for the hipsters.
All of this is good news, but it also holds out some hope for the high street. Online shopping, the growth of out-of-town malls, and the economic crisis have all had a detrimental effect on cities and town centres, but most men who come into town to get their hair cut will hang around and have a coffee or do a bit of shopping, which is the key to recovery: getting people into the high street and making them stay.
It will not be easy, but as long as our streets and pavements are in a good state, and new businesses are given incentives to start up, there is still hope. There was a time when it was thought the high street would suffer death by a thousand cuts. Our barbers, and their customers, may yet prove that the prediction was premature.
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