A hairbrained idea to open a barber shop in a pub is turning heads in Burntisland.
Dave Henderson, the landlord at the town’s Jubilee Tavern, is now offering a short back and sides along with the usual drinks and bar snacks at his hostelry.
The service has been aptly named Hair of the Dog Barbers. One of the first customers to enjoy a trim with his pint was regular Gordon Bray, 62, who had his locks tended to by barber Lauren Andrews.
“It’s a great idea,” he said.
“Everything’s here. You can come in and read the paper on a Saturday morning and get your hair cut at the same time.”
Mr Henderson, 45, who has run the Jubilee Tavern for the past 10 years, came up with the idea to give the pub a boost during the recession.
He managed to convince Fife Licensing Board to let him offer haircuts in the Aberdour Road premises.
Board members raised concerns about hair ending up in people’s food and drink, but Mr Henderson said there would be no health and hygiene issues.
He said: “The idea was to diversify. We’re in a harsh economic climate.
“We’ve got a huge function room next door and a beer garden. It’s a big bus to drive and we’ve got to get people on it.”
The publican said a screen would separate the hairdressing area from the rest of the pub while Ms Andrews was at work.
He added: “I’m expecting it to take off. It’s cost me about £2,500 to set up. It’s a top of the range hairdresser’s chair.”
Dry cuts are being offered to men and boys with prices ranging from £4.50 to £7. A number of women in the town have called for ladies’ haircuts to be introduced.
Ms Andrews said: “We’ve had a few women saying they would like to pop along.
“If it does pick up, we could always offer a ladies’ day with a glass of wine.”
Mobile hairdresser Ms Andrews jumped at the chance to set up shop in the pub on Saturdays.
“I missed being in a salon and now I’ve got the best of both worlds,” she said.
Dave’s sister Ann, who manages the pub, said: “There’s seemingly quite a buzz around the town about it.”
“I’m just dreading what he’s going to come up with next.”