Village barber shop's a cut above

Feb 6 2009 by Liz Hands, The Journal

WHEN it comes to old-fashioned barber shops this one is a cut above.

With big sash windows and a collection of home-produced colognes, customers would be forgiven for thinking they had woken up in the 1960s.

Owner Raymond Carr decided to turn back the clock when he renovated the shop in Clayton Park Square, Jesmond.

And it has been singled out for praise by Newcastle City Council in a proposal to create a conservation plan for the area known as Brandling village.

And residents have also been impressed with Raymond’s handiwork.

Raymond, 56, said: “A couple of residents handed me bottles of champagne to thank me for making the shop look traditional. And I’ve heard they want to put me forward for an award - but that’s not why I did it. It’s a traditional shop and I couldn’t see the point of putting up new shop front when the old one looked so good.

“I’m delighted that the council has picked the barbers out as one of the strengths of the village.”

Carr’s Barbers Club has been running for the past 17 years - and the shop dates back to 1881.

Harvey Emms, director of strategic housing, planning and transportation at the council, said: “Residents of the Brandling village conservation area are being consulted on plans to preserve and enhance where they live.”