The barbershop environment has changed a lot over the past few years, as has the way these businesses are run – for example, while walk-ins used to be favoured, appointment-based bookings are now on the up. With society’s increased reliance on mobile phones now ever-present, it begs the question: should phones be allowed on the barbershop floor? Here’s what three barbershop owners had to say…
Charlie Venn, owner of Lucky Sevens Barbershop
Charlie says: “Phones are allowed on my shop floor. I trust my staff to be sensible enough to use them appropriately.
“I think there are a few different benefits to allowing phones on the shop floor. Firstly, it means we can see messages from any clients who might be running late – or offering to buy us a coffee! It also means we can check the booking system on our phones, and occasionally, show funny videos to clients in the chair. Phones are such a pivotal aspect of life in 2024, it would feel strange to not have it in my back pocket.
“That doesn’t mean allowing phones on the shop floor is without its drawbacks. Phones, and especially their notifications, can distract you while you’re working – but that can be sorted by putting it on silent. It’s all about being sensible.”
Alex Burt, owner of Teddy Edwards Cutting Rooms
Alex says: “I allow phones on the shop floor, mainly because we use them in day-to-day workings – we use them to control the music, and to run bookings by checking messages and calls on our booking system – so in that sense, I don’t have a problem. There is discretion as well; sometimes we can be talking about something funny or a cool video – it’s the modern age, so in that sense I’m very relaxed.
‘However, the drawbacks that I find from having phones on the shop floor is – and it’s my number one pet hate – when barbers sit in the chair staring at their phones when there are other things to do in the shop. I just think it looks super unprofessional when customers come walking into the shop and they’re presented with a barber that is slouched in the chair looking at their phone. So that for me is my negative point of having phones in the shop – I think it can look unprofessional and I think we need to be aware of how it’s perceived on a professional level and exercise discretion where needed.”
Claire Chambers, owner of Eagle and Bear Barbers
Claire says: “We all know how fantastic and wonderful modern phones are, and how useful and helpful they are to all of our lives. However, on the flip side, modern phones can be also an awful distraction and are quite addictive.
“I once watched a video about the impact that a phone can have whilst being in our hands. The video showed that if we choose to hold our phone, it looks like that is the most important thing to us, whereas if we didn’t have a phone in our hand, it makes it easier to give our complete attention to our clients. It’s a powerful watch.
“In addition, we have all experienced situations where we are mid conversation with a friend and their phones goes off and they look at their phone straight away – and you’re still talking, and you know they are not really listening to a word you are saying. So given the above constant distractions that phones offer, then we at Eagle & Bear Barbers, have a policy where we do not have our phones on the shop floor.
“This is because we want to give our clients our upmost attention. Our clients are usually in our chair for an hour, and we want them to feel like they are the most important person in that hour, to receive the absolute best service possible from us. However this is only my own personal opinion and I accept that there is no absolute right or wrong answer.”
