Oulton Broad barber's final cut

A POPULAR barber in Oulton Broad marked the end of an era earlier this month when he hung up his scissors and comb after a long career.

However, Trevor Crisp has vowed that he has not given his last short-back-and-sides; with regular customers of Crisps Barber Shop assured he will return to his saloon for at least four weeks next year for holiday cover.

On December 18, 1959, Trevor started work at his father's shop in Bridge Road, and he celebrated 50 years to the day, with chocolates, cards, champagne and a host of familiar faces. His staff even donned special t-shirts and gave out pens as they marked his retirement by looking back at his career.

There has been a barbers shop in the Bridge Road block of shops for 103 years, with Arthur Allen selling it to Trevor's father Ivan in 1937.

Trevor began working in the shop when he was at school, emptying cigarette butts and setting-up the cut-throat razors. At the age of 15 he started working there full time, and took control of the business when he was just 17 years old, while his father ran a gift shop next door.

'I fell in love with it and still love barbering after 50 years,' said Mr Crisp, 65. 'Most of my fondest memories are of the clients. I've got clients who have been coming since before I started and I've had generations of families coming to the saloon.'

Trevor has left the day-to-day running of the shop to his manager Marcia Capps, but vowed he would return to the business that he still owns when she is on holiday.

'I am semi-retired. I am going to work a minimum of four weeks a year, and if the need arises I am the last reserve,' he said.

Trevor plans to spend much of his retirement time with his wife Margaret and three grandchildren who all live locally.