Like your haircut with a dash of Radio 2 and a nice conversation about your summer holiday? You’ll probably want to avoid Close Male Grooming, then.
The latest arrivals in Stamford House bring something new to the crowded Altrincham hairdresser scene: music (preferably very loud), a “laddish” environment, a selection of drinks and a couple of barbers whose other passions include heavy metal, paintballing and skateboarding.
“What we’re trying to offer is an alternative,” says Tommy Webb, 29, who is managing the new shop with help from Altrincham-based Ryan Battle, 34. “We’re not a ‘yes sir, three bags full sir’ kind of barbers, but we’re also not a five-pound barbers.
“We’re offering a really relaxed, but also laddish environment, where we’ll have rock music one minute and Michael Jackson the next. We’ve got skateboards and snowboards on the wall, and then there’s us two guys who are big into our alternative lifestyles.”
Below: Ryan Battle (left) and Tommy Webb inside Close Male Grooming in Stamford House
But don’t make the mistake of thinking they’re anything other than very serious about their craft. After all, with this being the fifth Close set up by owner Alex Shaw – there’s already three in the city centre and one in Chorlton – there’s an established brand to uphold.
So where does Close fit into the marketplace? “Close bridges a gap between hairdressing and male grooming,” says Webb, “using traditional barbering techniques coupled with salon environment and service.”
The fit-out of the new outlet took six weeks and cost over £30,000, and the new tenants – a slight disagreement over the placement of their signage aside – say they’ve had a great reception from local businesses and people.
“We all know of the cheap barber when you can walk in and get your haircut and leave,” adds Webb. “At the opposite end of the spectrum you have London-style men’s haircuts, where you pay £50 for wine, magazines, beers, head washes and a very high end service.
“We are the gap between the two. We offer head washing with every cut, drinks, great atmosphere, a good location and talented staff.”
