Barber opens own shop in Falkirk after two decades in industry

Nicola Vickers will rely on 20-plus years of experience as she bids to make a success out of her new Falkirk-based business venture during the unprecedented times brought about by coronavirus.

The Dunipace resident enjoyed a busy start to life at Nicola’s Barbers last month when barbers and hairdressers were given permission by the Scottish Government to reopen.

Since then, things have quietened down slightly at the Callendar Riggs business.

However, Nicola (42), who worked at Arthur’s Barbers in Falkirk Bus Station for 19 years, remains confident the loyalty of her customers will see her through in the long run.

Having spent three years as a self-employed barber within another shop, she decided to act on her long-held desire to branch out and run her own business.

Nicola’s Barbers officially opened on Wednesday, July 15, on the same side of the street where she started out at Arthur’s Barbers in 1998.

She said: “I always wanted to do it.

“Things have been alright. Because I’ve worked in the town a long time, I’ve managed to get a few customers back and have done Facebook too so a lot of people have found me through that.

“When salons and barbers came back, everybody wanted their hair cut so it was extremely busy for the first two weeks.

“The past week and a bit has been a bit quieter but I’m fortunate I’ve got regular customers who come in every two or three weeks.

“At the moment there’s no routine because a lot of people are working from home and not going out as much so they’re not bothering with their hair.

“I think it will pick up once people get back to some kind of normality. If I didn’t think I could’ve done it, I wouldn’t have.”

Her shop may be new, but Nicola, originally of Standburn, intends to use the traditional techniques she was taught two decades ago as the blueprint going forward.

Nicola’s Barbers is open Monday to Friday (9am-5pm) and Saturday (9am-3.30pm).

The business will be closed on Wednesdays from the week beginning August 31.

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