LISTEN: Morecambe hairdresser celebrates 40 years in business

A popular hairdresser is celebrating 40 years in business as a mainstay of Morecambe town centre.

Colin Brown opened his first salon in Morecambe in September 1985 and says he loves the job today even more than ever.

Colin, whose salon is on Victoria Street, has cut the hair of so many customers in that time, he's lost count!

"We did try to do the maths, but we gave up in the end, there's been that many!" he said this week, while reminiscing on his career.

"(There have been) a lot, and I'm still doing some regulars from the early days from 40-odd years ago, who started with me at Eddie Ball's."

LISTEN to Colin Brown talking about 40 years in business in Morecambe

Colin remembers when he first got the bug for hairdressing as a child, while sitting in the old Dewhirst gentlemen's barbers on Lancaster Road with his dad.

"I was watching this guy go through a lot of heads of hair, and I remember saying he's doing all right, he's making some money.

"Then when I finished school, I went to the careers office, and there was a three month trial apprenticeship with (Morecambe hairdresser) Eddie Ball.

"My dad remembered (what I'd said), and that's where it started.

"I thought I'd give it three months and if I don't like it, c'est la vie. And we're here, 45 years later."

Colin began working for Eddie at his salon on Sefton Road in the West End.

"There were three of us at it full-time, a good little business and a good grounding and education," he said.

Then five years later, Colin moved on to set up his own salon on Skipton Street, in what's now Ralphy's Cafe.

Then in 1988, an opportunity came up to move onto Victoria Street.

Around 19 years later, he moved into the old Jug and Bottle off licence further down the road, and remains there today.

Colin is a very well-known and well-liked figure in the town, always chatty with his customers, and says he can't believe how quickly the years have flown by.

"It's gone that fast, it's been a bit of a whirlwind, it just seems like a couple of years ago when I first opened," he said.

"But it's been good fun.

"I've reduced my hours now but I still want to be here for a good few years yet.

"It's not just a job, it's a social activity. I love seeing the guys I've been dealing with for years. They're old friends.

"I don't want to put a date on (retirement), I would miss it. I look forward to doing it. (My customers are) good people, funny people, they've kept me going.

"To my customers, thank you. Long may we go on!"