A MAN who has been a barber for two decades said he was 'happy' to be in the finals of The Mail's Best Hairdresser or Barber 2024 competition. 

On Monday (June 10) we launched the award with readers nominating their favourite to make the coveted shortlist.

Devro's Barber Shop on 105 Cavendish Street in Barrow has been selected as one of the top ten finalists by the readers.

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Paul Devlin started the shop fifteen years ago and has eight barbers working there. He said business 'has never been better'. 

He said: "We are always looking to upskill to provide improved or different services to our customers. We have always travelled away to trade shows and competitions and regularly compete. We have won multiple awards dating back as far as the year that we opened."

Paul, who has been qualified as a barber for 20 years, said he was 'happy' to hear that Devro's had made it to the top. 

"It is always nice to hear that people are happy with the service that your team provides," he said.

When asked about why he thinks he should win the competition, Paul said: "I don’t really think I have a reason why we should win it above anybody else, there are some amazing barbershops and hairdressers in town - a few that I feel should really have had a mention -and I am sure that to their customers they are the best in town, just as to our customers we are the best.

"Everybody has their preferences and that is a part of this industry. As long as the people that choose to come through our door are happy then that’s more than enough for us."

Readers can vote for their favourite finalist by picking up a newspaper copy until Saturday, July 6.

After this final voting stage has concluded, the winner will be crowned as The Mail's 'Hairdresser or Barber 2024' during the week commencing Monday, July 15.

Tom Murphy, head of digital at Newsquest Cumbria, said: "Remember to pick up a copy of The Mail to give your favourite a chance to win."