Darlington tops the UK for the amount of barber shops and beauty salons

According to data prepared for the Office for National Statistics, Darlington boasts 125 barber shops and beauty salons- one for every 884 residents. 

This marks a sharp rise of 25 new premises in just five years. 

Darlington has been named the top town in the UK for the amount of barber shops (Image: North News and Pictures) With a population of 110,562, the town’s concentration of salons far outpaces the national average of one for every 1,352 people. 

The barber shop boom reflects a wider national trend. Since 2019, the number of barber shops and beauty salons across the UK has surged by 12.3%, now totalling 50,353.

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Darlington’s high streets are now synonymous with Turkish-style barber shops, offering services like hot towel shaves, skin fades, and waxing.

Competitive cheap pricing and a unique grooming experience have made these salons a hit with customers seeking modern cuts or regular trims. 

However, Darlington’s grooming increase has raised some concerns. Nationally, there have been worries about they overconcentration of shops, with some streets seeing multiple salons but limited foot traffic. 

Once a leader in cinema seats per capita during the 1930s, Darlington has now redefined itself as a hub for grooming and beauty.