A NORTH EAST barbershop hoping to bring "traditional" hot shaves and haircuts to everyone has just opened - and it has been built inside a container.
Laings Traditional British Barber Shop is aiming to fill the gap in the market after opening inside the iconic Stack complex in Seaburn, near Sunderland.
The brainchild of Ross Laing, the shop has been transformed from two empty containers into a fully-fledged barbers, offering everything from nose waxing to a good old haircut.
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Born out of lockdown, the musician and experienced barber, said the idea was one he had always wanted to pursue, with the pandemic finally giving him the chance.
Speaking to The Northern Echo, the Sunderland man said the closure of theatre and music venue doors had allowed him to explore the idea of opening a traditional barbers.
He said: "It's something I've always wanted to do, I've always wanted to open a barbershop but it was never the right time.
"But due to circumstances, things like the impact of Covid on the music industry, I had to look for something else to run alongside that.
"Then I saw this, and it's what I wanted, I’d been looking for years for the right place – I thought now is a good time to just do it.
Mr Laing, who has performed alongside the likes of Andy Taylor from Duran Duran and 90s boy band A1, had previously worked for well-known names including Toni & Guy.
Explaining how he hopes to be a cut above the rest, Mr Laing said he wanted to offer a barbershop that was different from competitors in the area.
On the menu, Laings offers haircuts starting at £10 alongside hot towel British shaves, and even has its own 'dapper gent' package which includes a complimentary whisky.
He said: "I just want it to be a place where people can come and get a proper pamper, relax and soak up the atmosphere."
Taking up two containers that have been knocked through, opening a barbershop without the traditional bricks and mortar has been tricky to navigate.
Mr Laing said: "It was challenging, there's no staff room, there's no toilets, I have had to make it work and create areas for staff and customers but it all fits."
Four months in the making, Laings Traditional British Barber Shop officially opened on Sunday, October 3 to the reaction he had hoped for.
He said: "The reaction has been great, everybody who comes in is impressed when people are sat a lot are saying 'oh I used to have one of them.'
"I have tried to get it so people are taken back to their childhood, every time you sit down you'll see something different."
Starting up, Mr Laing has also taken on junior barber, Luke Bambridge who says the barbershop brings a unique proposition to the seafront location.
Mr Bambridge said: "It's very exciting, the shop is in a very different location and the area is on the up - it's the place to be."
Taking walk-in and appointments, Laings is open between 10am and 6pm Monday to Wednesday, 12pm to 9pm Thursday, 10am to 6pm Friday, 9am to 4pm on Saturday and 10am to 3pm on Sunday.
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