A popular Lincoln barbershop is celebrating 25 years of business this December.
Mr Brown’s Barbershop, on Lincoln’s High Street, has been open since 1998, and owner Keith Brown, 53, is pleased to reach the milestone.
He said: “It’s a bit of an achievement really. People have come and gone over the years. It’s nice to be a part of the local community and doing what we do. It’s all a bit mad, a bit surreal that after all this time we’re still doing it.”
Keith added: “It’s nice working with the public, all the weird and wonderful people we’ve met over the years. Customers come and go, students especially, you get them for a few years and you get friendships with them and then you never seen them again.”
Keith worked at the barbershop when it was known as ‘Stringers’ and took over some 19 years ago.
He said: “We’ve heard plenty of stories, there might be some copyright issues with them. People have told us all sorts, just as we’ve spoken to people ourselves. They just become friends.”
“Barbers have always been part of the community I think. We call it therapy, somewhere people can come and sound off about the missus or the dog or whatever.” – Keith Brown
The barbershop, on 165 High Street, Lincoln, has been cutting hair for a quarter of a century, seeing off six Prime Ministers and ten England football managers.
Keith said: “We’re a dying breed because people just don’t do it anymore. There will be a day where the traditional barbershop is gone because the days of apprenticeship barbers are gone.”
Over the years, the owner has cut a variety of hairstyles.
He said: “Trends come and go. Footballers mainly set hair fashion trends, now it’s mullets. Doing highlights and skin fades and all that is still a massive part of what we do day in and day out. A few mohawks. Everyone’s different aren’t they.”
He added: “35 years I’ve been doing it for, and I still enjoy it, I still keep coming to work.”
Keith said more than anything, the friendships he has made stand out.
However, the 25 years haven’t been without its challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic forced many businesses to shut.
Keith said: “Obviously, all the stuff with COVID and having to be closed was a really tough time for everybody.”
He plans on celebrating the quarter-century of business with a drink.
What’s changed in the past 25 years?
A lot has changed over the past 25 years, from new governments and monarchs to thousands of EastEnders episodes and even a few Lincoln City trophies.
- 4,815 episodes of EastEnders
- 11 England Football National Team Managers
- 10 White Christmases
- 7 British Prime Ministers
- 3 Lincoln City Trophies
- 2 Monarchs
How much have prices changed?
A pint of milk was 34p in 1998 and is now 65p (according to the Office for National Statistics).
A loaf of bread cost 71p in 1998 and now costs £1.60 (ONS).
Feature Image: Owner Keith Brown (right) with hairdresser Jack Richardson (left) as Mr Brown’s Barbershop celebrates a quarter-century in business.