Get your hair cut, lad! (The Uppermill Barber Shop & Mob Barbers)

Member Name: dmandrew

Product:	The Uppermill Barber Shop & Mob Barbers
Date:	10/04/08 (104 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Proper traditional barber

Disadvantages: None at all

If you are a gentleman and you go for a haircut, then there are certain things you expect and get used to. One of these is not having to make appointments. The first time that I discovered that this is what ladies had to go through in order to have their hair cut, I was both horrified and relieved. The Uppermill Barber offers a walk-in service, and has particularly comfortable and stylish armchairs to sit in if you do need to wait. No only that, but there's a bit more to read than the usual pile of old car magazines that most barbers assume their customers will want to browse. There's always a daily paper, a varied magazine rack, and even some books that children will enjoy too, such as the latest Harry Hill story. There is also an amusing scrapbook of styles, including pictures of many celebrities. Apparently, the David Tennant style is very popular. There are also one or two pictures included for a bit of fun to give customers a bit of a chuckle.

..........Where is it? .........

Uppermill is a Saddleworth village in the old West Riding of Yorkshire. Officially, it listed as being in something called Greater Manchester, whatever that might be! It's very easy to find, being on the High Street and on a prominent corner. If you are travelling to Uppermill by car, there is free parking just next to the canal museum, and if you get there by boat, that's where you moor. The outside of the building has several brightly coloured and decorative signs, and can't really be missed. The Barber Shop itself is sited in an upstairs room, which you reach by going past the entrance to a draper's shop, which does a good trade principally in making curtains

.........What does it offer?..........

The Uppermill Barber Shop offers a range of different cuts, all at very reasonable prices. In April, 2008, these were as follows:

Standard cut (with scissors and clippers) £6.50
Cut with clippers only £6.00
Cut for children £5.50
Cut for OAPs £4.50
Beard trim £2.00
Wash and cut £10.00

I was in Uppermill on a short holiday, and was very pleasantly surprised at the prices, as I normally have my hair cut in the Midlands.

.........How is it equipped?.........

There is a proper barber's chair in the middle of the room, and the customer sits facing a mirror, as is normal. A barber's low sink is provided near at hand for the wash and cut service. The barber has a comprehensive collection of scissors, razors and electric clippers. The clippers are graded from 1 to 8, and the barber can operate each one down to quarter sizes. A witty notice on the wall explains that No. 8 leaves your hair ¾ of an inch long, whereas No. 0 is bald!

.........What is the service like?.........

Every customer is greeted and made to feel welcome. While I was there, there were three other gentlemen who also had haircuts, either before or just after me, and I was impressed by the barber's easy and friendly manner with each new patron. His skill with scissors, razor and clippers was immediately evident, and I knew that I was in safe and competent hands. At the end, I was invited to inspect the work with the mirror held behind me, and I was very happy with the result.

.........When does the barber operate?.........

The Uppermill Barber Shop is open on five days each week.
On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, he is open from 9:00 until 6:00 p.m.
On Saturday, he goes from 9:00 until 2:00 p.m., and on Sunday from 10:00 till 2:00.
In addition to this, he runs a mobile barber service in the local area, normally on Saturday afternoons.

.........What is the atmosphere like?.........

It's quite extraordinary inside, as this barber shop feels more like a home than a parlour. Almost the first thing you see is a warming gas stove of the wood burning type of design. It feels very welcoming. The armchairs, which I recognized as being Poang from IKEA, are extremely comfortable, and you certainly feel relaxed if you are waiting for a cut. The conversation is relaxed and the other customers were all friendly and up for a bit of good banter. All in all, although getting my hair cut is not the thing I look forward to particularly, I enjoyed this one, and next time I'm up that way will certainly call in and see the Uppermill Barber.

UPDATE, now that I'm back at work. I don't normally get comments about my haircut from my colleagues, but I've had several - and all very positive. DEFINITELY going back there now!

SECOND UPDATE
I've been back a couple of times, and the excellent service continues. Prices are slightly up - OAPs are still £4.50, though I wouldn't be surprised if some of these hand over a fiver and invite the barber to keep the change - but most other cuts are up by 50p from last year It's still cracking value. The barber normally takes a lunch hour between 1 and 2, but if trade is brisk then he won't ever turn you away, even when it's between those times.

Summary: Really good prices for a hair cut - call in when you're in Saddleworth