South Shields barber on course to become 'best in Britain' as business dusts itself off after lockdown

Allan Stone has been shortlisted in a prestigious competition

An award-winning South Tyneside barber has snipped and snapped his way to the final of a prestigious national hair care competition.

Allan Stone, 46, overcame coronavirus restrictions to enter by hiring a photographer to take pictures of him styling a male model.

He then sent the images to judges at the British Master Barbers Alliance (BMBA) for their annual 'best in Britain' contest.

His work with the scissors, and that of photographer Marie Harkness behind the lens, means he is one of only 10 entrants to be chosen for the final.

Allan, who runs Stoney’s Barber Shop, in Laygate Lane, South Shields, now hopes to overcome newer kids on the block who are also taking part.

He said: “The coronavirus meant entrants could not gather at a single venue for this year’s competition.

“The organisers instead provided a theme for photos to be taken, around which we would style our model and produce a final look.

“The theme was that of a magazine shoot and a photo for the front cover, with the idea being the images would be displayed in print.

“I asked Marie to take photos of me styling a model and showing what I had achieved, and I then sent in the images to the judges.

“They must have liked what they saw, because I’m one of just ten barbers to be chosen for the final of what is a very prestigious competition.”

Married dad-of-two Allan added: “I’m one of the oldest in the final, a lot of the others are in their early to mid-20 and also doing really good work.

“I do like the fact I’m a bit more of a seasoned professional, and I do think I have a good chance of winning, or at least I hope I do.

“Marie's photos are fantastic. The style I sent in is of a model with long hair.

“I wanted to show that there’s more to barbering styles than short back and sides.”

Allan is also in the final of the British Barbers Association’s (BBA) 2020 final, which was due to be held in February but has been delayed until 2021.

His other accolades include being named a Grandmaster Barber by the BMBA, and a Master Barber by the BBA, the voice of the industry.

The winner of the BMBA competition is expected to be announced later this month.

The BMBA works to showcase, promote and support UK barbering talent.

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