It was recently remarked that I was in need of a haircut as the top of my head resembled a birds nest. In years gone by, this would have filled me with dread as I would either have to go to the local old fashioned barber where they have only just discarded the pudding basins in favour of the 'Any style you like - as long as it needs clippers' approach, or I would have to endure the nearest 'Unisex' salon where there is piped music fit for teenagers with tourettes whilst every chair is taken up by the blue rinse brigade and, for the privelage of the abusive onslaught of the music, I would have to pay £20!
No more! I discovered Spikes through my wife. She dragged me along for my annual shearing and I trudged along like the reluctant schoolboy going to by clothes. The outside did not promise much - peeling paint and rotten window frames - and, once inside, it didn't get much better - peeling wallpaper and poor flooring - but, and this is a big but (not unlike mine), the two ladies doing the cutting were two of the nicest I have ever met. Whilst keeping conversations going with their respective clients they managed to welcome us in, garner our names and seamlessly include us in whatever they were talking about before we entered. Once we got to the actual cutting, they actually listened to what we wanted rather than ask the question then do exactly as they wanted as happens in so many salons these days. By the time I left my first cut there it was like we were all old friends and now, whenever I call to book an appointment, they greet me by my first name as though I was only there a couple of days ago. For the first time in my life, I am getting my hair cut more than twice a year and, more importantly in these times of recession, they charge under £10 for me to have any style I want.
Now, the owners have even started putting more cash into the business and they have recently replaced the front windows. Maybe when I return this week they will have even done some internal decoration - I can't wait to find out! read more
