Customers are rallying round the oldest barber's shop in Colchester, which fears it may be a casualty of the St Botolph's regeneration plan.
Cut it out - barber Adrian Swaisland with MP Bob Russell, who has joined the fight to save Welhams barbers' shop amid fears it may be demolished. Picture: SEANA HUGHES
Barbers at Welhams, in St Botolph's Street, have been cutting hair for 46 years.
But after studying draft proposals, hairdresser Stuart Harvey believes the shop could be demolished to make way for a walkway linking the priory area with shopping streets.
More than 300 customers and nearby businesses have signed a petition calling for Colchester Council to keep the shop open.
Mr Harvey said he could not understand the plan, as there were already roads like St Botolph's Church Walk and Priory Street linking St Botolph's Priory to the main road.
Adrian Swaisland bought the shop from the original owner, Bill Welham, 20 years ago after starting at the shop as an apprentice on £10.50 a week.
He said the council had sent businesses letters about the draft plan for the redevelopment, but did not specify plans for his shop.
He has already written to the planning department and is hoping to speak to a planning officer about it.
Town MP Liberal Democrat Bob Russell has been a customer for many years.
He said: "The first time they saw it was when a member of staff spotted a gap on a piece of paper.
"It's a traditional hairdressers which attracts customers across the board."
Published Tuesday August 24, 2004
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