It is shear delight for a Hengrove barber who has been crowned the best in the UK in a nationwide competition. Metro Mayor Dan Norris popped in for a trim and to offer his congratulations.
Mario Marotta has won the best barber competition run by the Barber Magazine and King C. Gillette and voted for by local customers.
Mario has been cutting locals hair and beards for over 30 years, and has been based at The Parade for 23 years. But the last 18 months has been a time like no other with lockdown forcing the shop to close, then a rush of customers with extra long locks to trim, all while getting used to masks, visors and other covid secure measures.
Scissors at the ready, Mario explained to the Mayor how he puts his success down to support of his loyal customers and says “There is a real community spirit here, it’s what got us through lockdown and why I love it here.”
Mayor Dan Norris who is one of Mario’s regular customers said: “I’ve also known Mario is the best in the West – he’s been cutting my hair for 20 years. But now I know he is best in the whole country. Well done Mario! This is brilliant news and it is great to see our region on the map. So many local businesses have been through a really tough time, but it is that mix of independent and quirky shops and cafes that makes our region special. I’m so pleased at this success!”