In a recent survey run by MB during lockdown, 42% of the barbers that responded said that they would be introducing cashless payments when their shop reopens. At a time where we are required to keep human contact to a minimum and where the constant handling of physical money becomes a potential source of infection, going cashless is as much a hygiene choice as a commercial one. Andy Willis of Andy’s Barbers in Bicester has made that choice for his business ahead of opening on July 4th. Andy says “This unprecedented closing of shops has given me time to reflect on my business in order to re-open the barber shop in a stronger position. As part of this reflection we felt it was the perfect time to move to a cashless payment system. Using card payment is something that our customers have been requesting for some time and seeing such a sudden shift away from cash payments during the lockdown firmly led me to the conclusion that there was no better time than now to explore options and implement the change. Aside from the fact that we’ve suddenly entered a time whereby no-body really wants to touch cash, going cashless will also save us time in terms of our daily visits to the bank, it won’t cost us more money than cash banking and most importantly will mean we are not a target for anyone thinking we have cash onsite.” Andy added: “Post-pandemic one of my greatest wishes for the industry is that local councils take control of the hygiene rating of barber shops. We should have a five star rating system just like the food industry does. If we can draw a positive from this terrible situation, the spotlight on hygiene has to be it, as I firmly believe that customers and wider media will be more aware of just how hygienically clean a barber shop should be. There really is no excuse for not having a clean and fresh Barbicide jar, new gowns everyday, new towels and blades for every shave etc. Hygiene will remain in the spotlight for many more months to come and I for one am delighted that this is the case.”
Read the full survey in the July to September issue here.