Brighton welcomes new shipping container barber shop

Btown Barber Shop is a hairdresser’s at Brighton Station.

The barber’s is in a shipping container just outside the railway station.

Owner George Partheniou, from Burgess Hill, has been in the male grooming business for 17 years.

George inside his trendy new barber's (Image: GTR)

He told the Argus: “I really liked the idea of a shipping container after restaurants and other venues using them in London and while travelling.

“It’s something a bit different – there are a lot of barber shops now and it is a bit of an over saturated market.

“Brighton is a quirky city so I think it will fit in nicely.”

George worked with Govia Thameslink Railway to use the space in front of the station.

He said: “I started conversations with GTR about a year ago.

“I was really interested in the space at the station because my other two barber shops are within walking distance to Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill stations, and it really helps with footfall.”

“Once I was given the green light to move forward with the space, I had to find a suitable unit."

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George designed and fixed the interiors by himself.

“I wanted it to look trendy, but also welcoming,” he said.

“There are big glass panels on the front so that people passing by can see what’s happening inside.”

GTR’s commercial team helped George get the barber shop up and running at the station.

George cuts a clients hair at Btown Barber Shop (Image: GTR)

 “The pandemic was extremely tough for small businesses, especially for hair salons and barber shops that were forced to close for months at a time,” said Rob Bastow from GTR’s commercial team.

“It’s fantastic to be supporting George as he brings his family business to Brighton, adding to our offering of shops and eateries as people continue to return to rail.”

George’s shop has been open for a few weeks in Brighton and he said people are beginning to change their habits.

“Because of our location, we need a few weeks for people to start noticing us. Now people know we are here, we think they will factor in extra time before and after their journeys to get their haircuts at the station.”