A BARBERSHOP is fighting the chop for ruining its surroundings, despite the site in question being a supermarket car park.

The Barber’s Den was launched in September by business partners Denise Simpson and Danny Parrott after gaining backing from Asda.

Planning officers at Colchester Council have told Ms Simpson the cabin is “seriously detrimental” to its surroundings.

Ms Simpson, 36, said: “I had the idea for a couple of years.

The way the world is moving forward now, it’s more convenient and going into the town centre there is traffic and parking is so expensive plus there are lots of barbershops.

“I thought ‘there needs to be something new to offer customers at a reasonable price’.

“I approached Asda with the idea and they backed it.

We had lots of meetings and we have become a tenant.”

Asda was so impressed with the shop, which employs five staff, it told Ms Simpson the idea could potentially be rolled out at store car parks across the country.

But then a Colchester Council officer came knocking.

Ms Simpson said: “We have given people jobs and have done everything we thought we were supposed to do.

“Then we had a visit from a barbershop owner in the town who didn't seem to like it and a week later the council came to see us.”

Mr Parrott, 42, submitted a planning application seeking retrospective permission for the shop to be there. It was refused.

Ms Simpson, who is the main barber at the shop, said: “The council’s reasons for refusing us are ridiculous.

“They said we have ruined the street scene, but you can't see us at all from the road.

“There is a burger van at the Tesco car park at the Hythe in Colchester that’s not a problem and car washes have got planning permission and there are no problems.”

Two objections were registered on Colchester Council's planning web pages.

Myland Community Council said it is not in keeping with the street scene and Mile End ward councillor Martin Goss was concerned the business was operating without planning permission.

Ms Simpson and Mr Parrott are set to appeal the council’s decision, but claimed a planning inspector has already told them it will be refused again. Ms Simpson said: “Asda has written to us and said we have its full support.

“We have got such a well received business and we have a fight on our hands.”

An Asda spokesman said: “The barbers is a small partnership employing local people and is popular with our customers. Unfortunately, a planning application was rejected earlier this year. We are working with the barbers to look at the options available to them. This may include an appeal.”

A Colchester Council spokesman said: “The council is waiting on the appeal process and until such time no further enforcement action will occur.”