Barber wins booze bid

A barbers and ladies hair studio in Southwell has become the first licensed alcohol-selling hairdressers in the county.

Mr Paul McCarroll, owner of the Southwell's McCarrolls barbers, will be serving alcoholic beverage from noon onwards.

McCarroll claims the barbers, based on King Street, has transformed since receiving the licence.

He said: "We've installed a working bar and added a brand new barista coffee machine, it's given us a complete new look.

"We now stock a range of gins, wines, whiskeys, beers and prosecco in our barber shop, which is certainly something different."

The alcohol licence awarded by the Newark and Sherwood District Council allows alcoholic beverages to be served between noon and 9pm.

Mr McCarroll admitted he was delighted with the response from customers in the opening fortnight.

"People have been coming in and complimenting how quirky the idea is.

"I've had a lady book a prosecco with her haircut and a man order a peroni with his.

"One of the more popular orders has been a coffee to go after a haircut," he said.

The 'bar to back' industry is more popular on the continent and is beginning to take off in London, where McCarroll first spotted the changes.

The Southwell barbers will reach it's 50 year anniversary in the coming years and McCarroll's plans to keep ahead of the game with the landmark in sight.

He said: "We have got a smart phone app that let's people book appointments to suit their needs and we have added a drinks menu to that, which means we can make sure the customers' drink's are ready for when they arrive."