EXCLUSIVE Fury as tiny Welsh town with 5,970 inhabitants gets its FOURTEENTH barber shop and salon (one for every 400 people)
A Welsh town with only 5,970 inhabitants has just got another barber shop - meaning it now has 14 hair salons, or one for every 400 people.
Plans by a Kurdish businessman to open a new barber in a vacant amusement arcade sparked anger among residents in Porth, South Wales, who said their town was already 'saturated'.
But thirty-four separate letters of objection failed to convince members of Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT)'s planning committee to refuse the application, meaning it can now go ahead and open.
Opponents told the council that there were already 13 hair salons in Porth, many of them Turkish-style barbers, and that the dearth of other retail options was putting off visitors.
Adding a fourteenth means there will now be one for every 426 residents, based on figures from the 2021 census.
There are a further six barber shops in neighbouring towns of Blackwood and Newbridge - barely ten miles from Porth - where cut-throat competition led to mob violence earlier this year. While some are Turkish themed, they are all run by Kurds.
The concerns come after police have warned of criminals infiltrating the industry by setting up shops as front companies to launder the proceeds of crimes like drug dealing.
More than 750 barbers opened in the UK last year despite a broader High Street downturn - raising suspicions that some are being used by gangs.
Just last months, enforcement teams across the West Midlands raided a string of Turkish barber shops and seized more than £500,000 in illegal cash during a crackdown on money laundering.
Meanwhile unhappy customers have taken to TikTok to share videos of their wonky haircuts and patchy skin fades – possible signs of illicit businesses cynically co-opting the proud, centuries-old tradition of Turkish barbering.
The newest barber in Porth is opening in a former amusement arcade on Hannah Street, The Rhondda Herald reported.
During a debate before Rhondda Cynon Taf's planning committee, Councillor Loretta Tomkinson pointed out that there were already plenty of barbers in the town and that having even more would make it difficult for them to turn a profit.
Other critics said the number of objections filed against the new shop understated the level of public opposition.
However, planning officers recommended approval and said in their report: 'The principle of commercial development at the site is acceptable and by bringing the property back into beneficial use, would result in a positive contribution towards the wider retail centre.
'Furthermore, the application is considered to comply with the relevant policies of the Local Development Plan in respect of its visual impact and the impact it has upon the amenity and privacy of the neighbouring residential properties.'
Situated side-by-side, two out of a total of the more than a dozen barber shops and hair salons within a six-minute walk on two streets in the centre of Porth
Hannah Street – one of Porth's two main roads - once boasted a Boots chemist, a Woolworth's, a Clarks shoe shop, women's fashion stores and men's outfitters.
In March, a branch of fashion store New Look which was based there shut its doors for good.
Even some of the town's hairdressers now agree there are too many barbers.
Barber Snur Abdulhmid, 18, who works at Porth Barbers in Hannah Street, said: 'There are too many, we don't need another one.
'If there are too many, no-one can make money.
'If it carries on, we'd have to close the shop.'
Mr Abdulhmid said the barbers was a 'legitimate' business, although he was aware that Turkish and Kurdish barbers are seen as a front for organised crime and money laundering.
'That doesn't happen here, we pay tax and VAT,' he said.
A survey conducted last year found locals in Porth felt there was already an over-abundance of certain businesses 'such as fast-food takeaways, beauty parlours, and barber shops'
There were no customers when MailOnline visited on a weekday afternoon and some of the men's salons were closed.
David James, 76, a retired plumber and heating engineer from the town, said: 'I use a local barber although I have nothing against the others in the town centre.
'It's ridiculous to have so many barbers and hair salons so close to each other. It can't be sustainable.
'It makes the town centre unattractive when you get so many businesses all offering the same thing.'
Andy Murrains, 62, who opened up a café bar in Hannah Street six months ago after moving from London, said: 'There's always gossip and Chinese whispers about some of the places.
'This street is not in the position where it can afford to lose a few businesses, that's the reality of it.'
A survey conducted last year by Porth and District Chamber of Trade found locals felt there was already an over-abundance of certain businesses, 'such as fast-food takeaways, beauty parlours, and barber shops.'
After the chamber of trade posted about the application on social media, many locals commented that there were already plenty of barbers in Porth.
One said: 'They are overrun with barbershops.'
'Does make me wonder how they can all stay in business,' Ian Heritage posted.
Another person added: 'Objection raised, more need to do the same, this is getting beyond a joke.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News
20 minutes ago
- Sky News
Trump's administration reviews AUKUS submarine deal with Britain and Australia
The US has launched a formal review of the multi-billion pound AUKUS submarine deal with the UK and Australia. The defence pact, which is developing a new fleet of nuclear-powered hunter-killer submarines for the UK and Australia, was agreed under Joe Biden 's administration in 2021. The alliance, which also covers collaboration on other advanced technologies, is seen as an attempt to counter the influence of China. But Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon's top policy advisor, is among vocal sceptics in Donald Trump 's administration. "We are reviewing AUKUS as part of ensuring that this initiative of the previous administration is aligned with the President's America First agenda," a US official said. "Any changes to the administration's approach for AUKUS will be communicated through official channels, when appropriate." AUKUS envisages Australia acquiring up to five US Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines from 2032 before the UK and Australia design and build a new class of submarine with US assistance. Australia's defence minister Richard Marles said on Thursday he was confident the pact would still go ahead and his government would work closely with the US while Mr Trump's administration conducts a review. "This is a multi-decade plan. There will be governments that come and go and I think whenever we see a new government, a review of this kind is going to be something which will be undertaken," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. It comes ahead of Mr Trump's first expected meeting with Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese on the sidelines of the G7 meeting in Canada. Security allies will discuss a request from Washington for Australia to increase defence spending from 2% to 3.5% of gross domestic product (GDP). AUKUS is at the centre of the UK's planned expansion of its submarine fleet, with up to 12 attack submarines expected to be built for the Royal Navy. The deal is said to be worth more than £175bn. When it was signed, all three countries - the US, UK and Australia - had different leaders. In May, the US president's new ambassador, Warren Stephens, used his first public speech to back the partnership, highlighting how "vital the US-UK relationship is to our countries and to the world". A UK government spokesperson said: "AUKUS is a landmark security and defence partnership with two of our closest allies. "It is one of the most strategically important partnerships in decades, supporting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic, while also delivering jobs and economic growth in communities across all three nations."
The Independent
23 minutes ago
- The Independent
Wimbledon increases prize money by seven per cent to £53.5m total pot this year
Wimbledon prize money will increase by seven per cent to a total pot of £53.5million for this summer's Championships. The winners of the men's and women's singles titles will each receive £3million, an increase of more than 11 per cent on 2024, while a main draw spot is worth a minimum of £66,000, up 10 per cent year on year. The All England Club's announcement comes amid growing player demands for a bigger share of grand slam profits. In April, 20 leading players sent a letter to the heads of the four majors calling for greater contributions and discussions were held at a meeting during the French Open. At Wimbledon's pre-tournament media briefing, chair Debbie Jevans said: 'We are absolutely committed to continuing our long-standing commitment to player compensation. 'We're immensely proud of the fact that if you look back 10 years, you can see the increase over that period (of 100 per cent) and seven per cent this year. 'We have listened to the players, we have engaged with the players. Of course we will always listen and discuss with them but the focus on just the prize money at four events, the grand slams, does not get to the heart of what the challenge is with tennis. 'The challenge with tennis is the fact that the players don't have an off season, which they want, they have increasing injuries that they're speaking about and we've always said that we as Wimbledon are willing to engage and talk with the tours to try and find solutions and that door remains open. 'As yet, there hasn't been any proposal to us as to how the tour is able to change its structure. 'There's a bigger picture here but, as a tennis player, they're always going to, I think, ask for more money.' Two big changes at this year's tournament – which starts on June 30 – had previously been announced, with the singles finals moving from 2pm starts on the final weekend to 4pm, while line judges are being replaced by a live electronic calling system. The latter decision follows a move within the wider sport, although the French Open has resisted change and this year's event was again held with line calls decided purely by human officials. Wimbledon's removal of line judges was met with dismay by many and the All England Club revealed around 80 former officials would be employed this year as match assistants, with two on each court offering support to the umpire, while they will also provide back-up, should the electronic system fail. Behind the scenes, Wimbledon's biggest project remains the planned expansion into neighbouring Wimbledon Park, which would add a further 39 grass courts but is currently mired in legal challenges. Although planning permission has been granted, a local protest group has brought a judicial review, which will be heard at the High Court on July 8 and 9 during the second week of the tournament. A hearing into whether there is a statutory trust on the land will be heard in January 2026, further delaying the project, plans for which were first submitted in 2021. Wimbledon, meanwhile, will continue to provide support for Ukrainian players in terms of practice facilities and accommodation.
The Independent
23 minutes ago
- The Independent
Inspector ‘disappointed' to be injured by alleged sword attacker, court hears
A police officer has told jurors he was 'disappointed' to be injured as he tried to stop a swordsman who allegedly murdered 14-year-old schoolboy Daniel Anjorin. Marcus Arduini Monzo, 37, killed, skinned and deboned his pet cat Wizard before he launched a 20-minute spree of violence in Hainault, north-east London, on April 30 last year, the Old Bailey has heard. During the rampage, he virtually decapitated Daniel and attacked a pedestrian, two police officers and a couple in their own home, jurors have heard. One witness described Monzo screaming 'in delight' after mortally wounding the schoolboy who had been wearing his PE kit with his earphones on. Afterwards, he likened events to the Holywood movie The Hunger Games and claimed to have an alternative personality of a 'professional assassin'. On Thursday, Inspector Moloy Campbell told jurors how he was injured as he tried to detain Monzo. Before arriving at the scene, he heard on the radio that one of his colleagues had been stabbed. A member of the public waved him down and pointed towards a car park and garage area. Mr Campbell told jurors: 'Our purpose was to arrest and protect the other officers. I decided to confront the defendant.' He sprayed him first but the defendant 'blocked' the move and 'came for' the officer, jurors heard. Mr Campbell went on: 'I dropped my spray and drew my baton. I struck him or attempted to strike him. I believe I connected with him at least twice. 'Mr Monzo was slashing at me with a large sword. He made contact with my hand and certainly with my bodyworn camera.' Asked how he felt, the officer told jurors: 'I was disappointed to put it bluntly because it meant I could not carry on what I was trying to do.' Trial judge Mr Justice Bennathan observed: 'Presumably you were terrified because someone is slashing at you with a sword.' The witness replied: 'It was frightening. I remember my priority to try to carry on.' He said he saw blood when he looked down at his hand and his baton was also covered in blood. Ms Campbell said he found himself 'backed into a corner' and withdrew, and asked a colleague to put a tourniquet on his thumb. He was treated at the scene and taken to hospital as the defendant was detained and arrested a short time later, the court was told. Previously, the court has heard how Monzo launched a series of attacks by driving his grey Ford Transit van into Donato Iwule, who was 'catapulted' into a nearby garden before the vehicle smashed into a concrete pillar and fence. He went on to hit Mr Iwule in the neck with his sword before running away, it is alleged. He then virtually decapitated Daniel, who was wearing headphones on his way to school, jurors have heard. In a statement read to the court, Maria Olmos described Monzo's reaction after the attack saying: 'As he fell to his knees, the man raised both his arms to the sky. 'At the time of doing so he let out an extremely loud scream. It wasn't a scream of pain, it was a scream of delight – my interpretation was he was celebrating. 'His eyes and mouth were wide open when he screamed.' Jurors were shown further CCTV and police body-worn camera footage of Monzo running through the residential area armed with a Samurai sword. Pc Yasmin Mechem-Whitfield pursued the armed defendant through a series of alleyways through residential properties, the court heard. Monzo struck her three times with the sword that had a 60cm blade using 'extreme force', the prosecutor said. It is alleged the defendant entered a property and attacked a couple who were sleeping in an upstairs bedroom with their young daughter nearby. Forensic pathologist Dr Ashley Fegan-Earl told jurors that Daniel's injuries were 'absolutely unsurvivable'. He said that Daniel's cause of death was sharp force trauma to the head and that Monzo had used 'an extreme level of force'. Monzo denies Daniel's murder and the attempted murders of Mr Iwule, Sindy Arias, Henry De Los Rios Polania and Ms Mechem-Whitfield, as well as wounding Mr Campbell with intent. He also denies aggravated burglary and possession of a bladed article relating to a kitchen knife. Monzo previously admitted two counts of having an offensive weapon, namely two swords.
