John’s a cut above the rest (From Times Series)

John’s a cut above the rest

2:35pm Thursday 2nd February 2006 in

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Barber, John Nicola, 68, of Totteridge, sits puffing on a cigar, soaking up the atmosphere of the party that he has thrown to mark the 100th anniversary of his shop, the New Century Barber Shop, in Fortis Green Road, Muswell Hill.

Earlier that morning, he and his staff wearing fake comedy moustaches offered haircuts for a shilling (5p), as a tribute to their predecessors of years gone by.

"It was great, we had lots of different shillings, we had ones older than we were," said Mr Nicola's daughter, Olympia Michael, 42, who has worked at the salon for eight years. "We also used the clippers that they used to use,"

Her father has owned the business since 1988, but some of the shop's customers have been visiting for much longer.

We have been in the business many years, we look after them. What more can you say?

Barber, John Nicola

"I have one customer who is 93 years old, and he was telling me that when he was a very young lad, he used to sit on the stool and the man who cut his hair had a big moustache and a wooden leg," said Mr Nicola.

He showed me a newspaper cutting of a 1928 advert for the barber shop which was then called Mr Barnes Hairdressing Saloons.

It reads: "When Tolly has its bath, smart haircutting and shampooing will be essential to those who wash to be in the swim'.

"No-one could possibly swim the Atlantic or the potty' little channel with long untidy hair. It would look so bad in the press snaps'.

"Therefore, see that you frequently visit Mr Barnes Hairdressing Saloons, 1, Firs Parade, Muswell Hill, where men and boys are given special and sole attention at modest charges. We also stock a large variety of toilet requisites at low prices for men and boys.

"Haircutting 9d, Shampooing Wet 1/- /dry 1/- shilling & 9d. Open 8.30am Close 7.30pm, Thursday 10pm, Saturday 8.00pm."

By Tolly', the article is referring to Tollington Boys School now Fortismere School and its 1928 fundraiser for school swimming baths, named Tolly Needs a Bath'.

Mr Nicola told me that his parade of shops was once known as Firs Parade.

He laughed as he pointed at the late opening times displayed on the cutting.

"Nowadays it's five days a week from 8.30am to 6pm."

He came to London from Cyprus in 1953 to work as a hairdresser in Covent Garden.

"I was earning £1.10 shillings a week, and I was making money," he remarked. "When I was in Covent Garden I used to do shaves and hot towels with the barrow boys when they were finishing work at seven o'clock in the morning.

"They would come in after they had been to the pub most of them slept in the chair. We had to use cologne or something that would sting a bit to make them jump and wake them up."

He said he stopped work for a while in the Seventies. "It was all long hair back then, I could not make a living."

Mr Nicola bought The New Century Barber shop from a friend he met during his time in Covent Garden.

Neil Delys, 60, of Muswell Hill, Muswell Hill, has been a regular customer of Mr Nicola for 15 years.

He said: "When I moved to the area, I tried several different hairdressers and after trying Mr Nicola just once, I figured I would come back again.

"He's very warm, very approachable, he is a special person and I think a lot of people in this area hold him in high regard."

Others who appear to hold him in esteem are the celebrities whose pictures adorn the salon's walls, including actor and musician Martin Kemp, DJ Trevor Nelson, comedian Bob Mills and ex-Tottenham Hotspur players Kasey Keller and Christian Ziege.

Actors Peter Polycarpou (Birds of a Feather) and James Gaddas (Bad Girls) were also among the guests at the party.

"I cut a lot of celebrities' hair," said Mr Nicola, proudly. Another of his loyal clients is film editor, Alan Trott, 54, of Collingwood Avenue.

He said: "I first stepped in here in the Eighties, just before I got married. I started to come here all the time. Frankly, John is the expert, he's the man."

Mr Nicola explained why he thought so many people used his salon.

"A friendly atmosphere, always welcome, professional," he said. "We have been in the business many years, we look after them. What more can you say?"