Rising costs cause barber to open shop in back garden

Nathan Scotford has built a cabin in his back garden to run his barber shop

A Kent barber who has opened a shop in his back garden said he was forced to close his town centre premises due to rising costs.

Nathan Scotford closed his shop nine months ago and now runs Cushty Cuts from a specially built cabin at his home in Folkestone.

With his monthly costs like rent and utility bills rising by 30% he said he made the difficult decision to move his business into his garden.

Mr Scotford said he hoped the new venture "will help me remain profitable".

Customers have their hair cut in a specially built cabin in Mr. Scotford's back garden

He said: "I needed around 200 customers each month just to stay open."

The new barber shop has an Only Fools And Horses theme which showcases Mr Scotford's large collection of memorabilia.

He said: "I wanted to re-create what I had in the shop with the same sort of atmosphere and ambience.

Mike Parkinson is a loyal customer and is happy to use the barbershop in Plimsoll Road

"I've had pressure taken off of me now as it wasn’t enjoyable thinking about the bills all the time.

"I was telling the customers way too much and they were walking away, probably saying they don’t want to hear this!

He added: "Now the future looks very cushty!”

Mike Parkinson is a customer who lives nearby and has followed Nathan from his shop to his cabin.

He said: “It’s no different from being in the shop really.

"I’ve always been happy to come and see my mate Nathan over the last 15 years.

"I won’t use anyone else.”