“I couldn’t afford to run a high street barbers

SWLNbarber – By Imogen Howse Meet the barber who has set up shop in his back garden – after costs soared too high for him to maintain a high street premises. Nathan Scotford, 42, from Kent, closed his barber shop nine months ago and now runs Cushty Cuts in a specially-built cabin behind his Folkestone home. He decided to move his business into his garden after costs skyrocketed by 30 per cent – meaning he would have to make over £2,000 each month before he could even turn over a profit. The dad-of-three decided this was unsustainable and so when a friend and long-time client suggested he move his business home, he thought he’d give it a go. Mr Scotford said: “I was coming up to the end of a ten-year leasehold and needed to decide if I wanted to renew it. “I thought about how bills were going up – and about how the area of ​​Folkestone I was in, which used to be thriving, had been forgotten over the last few years. Bookings weren’t booming as much as they were before Covid. “So I decided it was time for a new project. First, I spent some time hiring out a chair in different barber shops – but when a long-time friend and client said I should just work from home, I thought, ‘why not ?'” Mr Scotford built a special 3.6mx 3.6m cabin fitted with brand new electrics and insulation. It is decorated with his large collection of Only Fools And Horses memorabilia-a show which he says “resonates” with him and his family. The barber said: “I wanted to provide the same service and ambience to my clients, simply in a different location. “The cabin is like a mini house – with brand new electrics and insulation – and I’ve added something that resonates with me and my family with the Only Fools and Horses decorations.” Business has been good so far as Mr Scotford has a loyal base of clients who have followed him in his new venture. He said: “I don’t regret it at all. I absolutely love it. “I’ve kept my regular base of customers who have followed me over the last 25 years. “I couldn’t do any of this without them. “And I’ve got a 10 meter walk to work. So I’m doing my bit – keeping my commuting emissions down. “I’m just hoping to continue doing as I am and keep a cushty consistency.” ENDS