The traditional barbershop treating men like gentlemen

But one stands out as a haven for men looking for a good haircut and beard trim.

Our new feature – Meet The Salon Owner – gives business owners and managers the chance to shine a spotlight on their salon and showcase some of their best work.

This week, Simon Yates and The Speakeasy Barbershop features in Meet The Barber.

Here, the 49-year-old tells us why they attract customers from all over the north west and how a barbers in Rotterdam provided the inspiration for the new business eight years ago.

If you would like to appear in our Meet The Salon Owner or Meet The Barber features, email heidi.summerfield@newsquest.co.uk

The Speakeasy Barbershop owner Simon Yates (seated) and fellow barber Jack Jones

What’s the name of the salon/business?

The Speakeasy Barbershop

What’s the address?

188 Rainhill Road, Rainhill, L35 4PL

How many employees do you have?

We currently have three staff at the barbershop. Jack Jones and I are barbers and Laura Cain works in our front of house. But we actually have seven in the team, including the Therapy Hut Wellness Centre, which is our sports, remedial massage and reflexology business, at the same place.

When did you open the salon?

We opened as the Speakeasy Barbershop in 2015.

Meet The Barber - Simon Yates

Has it always been in the same location?

We used to be next door at 188a but moved during lockdown as the larger premises became available.

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Are you local to the area? Did you grow up here?

I live in Rainhill and have done for more than 10 years but I'm actually from Liverpool. My wife Lesley, who co-owns The Speakeasy along with The Therapy Hut Wellness Centre and The Third Place Coffee House, also on the same premises, is from Rainhill and her family has been present in the village since the early 1980s.

Tell me a bit about your salon/business.

We opened the Speakeasy in 2015 to compliment and accompany The Therapy Hut. We are a traditional barbershop offering haircuts, beard treatments and hot towel shaves to a wide demographic of men looking for a quality barbershop offering a more personal touch. The customer experience is very different to other barbers. Beard treatments have proved to be a real pull for new clients who travel from Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Wirral. It’s amazing how far men will travel and allow us to care for their beards and we are forever grateful.

Why did you decide to open your own salon?

Lesley and I have always been self-employed since our 20s so it seemed the obvious step for us to have our own business.

What’s your hair and beauty background?

I came to the industry later in life having been a graphic designer in my 20s/early 30s. I then worked for my family’s private hire company before finding barbering when I was 39. I did my barbering qualifications at St Helens College while working my normal day job and then spent some time working getting experience and increasing my skill base in other shops that interested me around the country. We opened The Speakeasy Barbershop in 2015 when we were satisfied that we’d found the right business for us.

A happy customer

Why this type of business?

To be honest, I stumbled across barbering while searching for a new career but once I started I knew almost instantaneously that I had the passion and ability to make a real go of it in the industry.

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How did the Covid-19 pandemic affect your business?

It’s strange but social media makes the world seem a lot smaller nowadays and we follow shops from around the world on Instagram. During January and February and into March 2020, we could see the real time effects of Covid as it worked its way from Asia across Europe. Shops that we'd grown used to seeing daily posts from steadily closed and we knew what was coming. We actually took the decision to close the shop a week earlier than the national Government lockdown. We thought we'd be closed for a week or maybe a month but it was nine months on and off. We lost three barbers, for various reasons, and it would have been easy for us to feel down about the situation as anxieties built and we did shed a few tears. We decided to take a chance and move our businesses next door in the final lockdown to the newly vacated premises at 188. It was a huge undertaking with Lesley and I doing the majority of the building work and refurbishment along with help from friends and family some essential professional help. We found it cathartic, invigorating and terrifying in equal measures especially as we were making the move after a year of such uncertainty but it felt good to actually throw ourselves into something positive. Neither of us had the experience for such a big project but we got there in time for reopening and are so proud of what we've accomplished.

Looking good after a haircut and beard trim

What makes your business different from others in the same area/field? What sets your business apart from your competitors?

We always set out to offer something different, not only in our local area but also the north west. The only options seemed to be walk in barber shops or unisex salons. I became aware of a new type of barber shop in 2014 that seemed to tick a few boxes for me, the most well-known of these being Schorem in Rotterdam. These shops were period-style and offered a service that harked back to a bygone era when men were made to feel like gentlemen. We’ve tried to offer a salon level of service in solid oak surroundings with antique furniture, vintage barbershop accessories, fresh coffee and tea and good music that appeals to men.

We have also been mindful of men’s mental health and feel we can provide a safe space for men feel comfortable and share their problems and troubles. It’s this level of service along with a genuine warm welcome, our online booking system and longer appointments as standard that affords men the opportunity to switch off and just be themselves for an hour.

Why do loyal clients return to your business?

We genuinely care and have worked hard over the years to provide a level of service that we feel is second to none. Standards of customer care generally have slipped in all areas of business so that when somewhere offers simple common courtesies like good manners, it shows. All the other extras we offer as standard makes us an appealing shop for a wide demographic of men.

What’s next? What do the next few months hold for you and your salon?

We hope for continued success similar to what we’ve achieved over the past eight years as it’s working well along with the other business at the same. We also have plans to expand The Third Place, which is currently a relaxation, reception and coffee area.

The Speakeasy Barbershop is on Rainhill Road in Rainhill (Image: The Speakeasy Barbershop)