Brethren's Barbers.

Hi I’m Fiona and I’ve spent up to the beginning of Covid lockdowns working on film sets and for a barbering company. I found that my experience working for a company frustrating as their business was mainly focused on quick in and out haircuts and large targets rather than the standard of the haircut, the level of customer service and the development and standard of the barbers themselves. If a client wanted the service, skill level and a high standard cut them they would visit the likes of Vidal Sassoon, Toni and Guys or Ted Baker and pay a very high price tag. I could not understand why wasn’t these aspects that I felt was fundamental not standard in barbershops. Why was barbers under educated, overworked and not appreciated for their skills or encouraged to develop their skills. It’s seemed about quick cuts and quick money. Simply my clients deserved more, my peers deserved more and I deserved more. The more I voiced my concerns, the more I was told it’s about the money, the more frustrated I felt. I knew what I wanted from a barber shop but the fear of risking a steady wage, bringing up children as a single mum and the fear of failure always pushed down what I felt I needed to do. Then one day in March 2020 the world was turned upside down. Covid hit hard and as the first lockdown started I found that I had no job,no work,no money. All of a sudden I had nothing to risk anymore or loose except failure and even that was not a option. I had to create myself a job or find a job. I had time to re evaluate my life and career. I knew I did not want to get back into that hamster wheel again. I took every penny I had and found a shabby old hut on a farm as I wanted a destination shop where people want to specifically visit to add to the overall experience. It took myself and my family alongside a couple of clients to build my shop. I had a image in my head and knew how I wanted my clients to experience and all I could do was verbally paint a picture to those helping me build it. They certainly created a amazing space using not just my description but the images they had created in their own minds of what a barbershop should be. The results was mind blowing and we have found that every new client that walks in always has that full on WOW moment and even our regulars find new treasures every time they come in. So to say we are not your everyday barbers is just touching the tip of what we are. We have created our own beat on the barbering drum. There is no waiting around. Every appointment starts at 30min slots as standard time. Our barbers are always developing their skills and education alongside education in mental health and learning difficulties. Our clients are our community which range from bikers, children, us wise older folk, LGBTQ+ community and all those from many walks of life. Not only are we diverse in our hairstyles we are diverse in our community. You can come in for a cut, shave, facial or a complete restyle. We also cater for women as we are also trained female stylists and also provide a fashion colour system service. We also have s wide range of retro gaming you can play on and coffee/ tea is always free of charge so many of our clients pop in for a chat between hair appointments. We believe that awesome customer service, a sense of community and a banging hair cut shouldn’t cost the earth and should be as standard. Enough of me talking about Brethrens Barbers as I can go on for hours so I invite you to come along and take a look for yourself and give me your feedback. I’m confident you will go “WOW”. Find us at:
Brethren’s Barbers @ Church Farm, Ardeley. Stevenage SG2 7AH