24-06-2025
'Friendly' barbershop with dog that customers love nominated for award
A "friendly" barbership with a loved dog has been nominated for an award.
Gareth Barlow Barbers is one of the 10 finalists in The Bolton News Best Barber Shop competition.
The Chorley Old Road outfit, run by the man of the same name, has been in the same location in Doffcocker since it opened 21 years ago.
Gareth, now 48, has worked in barbershop since he was 14, when he would sweep up and make the brews after school.
He said: "I left school on the Friday and started full time on the Monday, working for 15 years at Oggi and Washington Barbers on Great Moor Street.
Gareth Barlow Barbers has been nominated for an award (Image: Gareth Barlow Barbers) "Since then I have run my own shop for 21 years, in the same place on Chorley Old Road."
Gareth says that the customer service and friendliness are what sets his shop apart, which is run by just him.
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Gareth Barlow Barbers has been nominated for an award (Image: Gareth Barlow Barbers) He said: "Customer service is the number one thing, being friendly, chatty and looking after customers.
"I go out now and again to some of my elderly customers who can't get out.
"My Staffordshire Bull Terrier dog comes in the shop too, people love him, he gets treated more than me!
"It is only me in the shop, I have had people in the past, but I can give a regular consistent haircut.
"Some shops have five or six barbers and the cut can be inconsistent, it might not be right, or it might be different, as everyone cuts a different way."
Gareth Barlow Barbers has been nominated for an award (Image: Gareth Barlow Barbers) Speaking on being nominated for the award, Gareth added: "I had no idea, I was very surprised, I didn't know they were doing the competition.
"I have no idea who voted for me, it was a shock, but I am really proud."
He thanked those who voted for the shop for nominations.
To vote for your winner, pick up a copy of today's paper.
