'Crazy' launch as barber opens Fuel Hair Mechanics in Milford

A NEW gentleman’s barbers offering specialist styling and beard grooming services has opened in Milford.

Fuel Hair Mechanics, owned by Simon Digweed, who previously ran Jack Rabbits Barbers in Lymington for three years, began trading last month after a swift shop re-fit.

Inspired by Simon’s own American road trips and featuring an array of memorabilia he has collected over the years including licence plates, surf boards, tool boxes and even a guitar signed by Mark Knopfler, the barbers shop is located at 61 High Street, Milford, opposite The Smugglers pub.

Simon said: “We literally closed Jack Rabbits on the Saturday and open Fuel on the following Wednesday, it was a little crazy but we had incredible help from lots of our customers.”

Simon’s shop fitting team included Toby Abbott from The Joinery Barn, Darren from Creative Wood Flooring, Nathan Dowse from NCD light haulage and Richard Franklin.

Fuel, which is named after a Metallica song, offers a range of specialist services including cut throat shaves, hot towel beard conditioning, bear re-shaping, nasal waxing and ear hair singeing. All services are pre-bookable with no walk in appointments available.

Simon said: “The male grooming industry has really changed in the last few years as beards have become such a major thing. Men want to have an experience in the same way that female hairdressers have been providing for many years – they want more bang for their buck.”

Simon, who previously worked as a barber in Winchester, has customers who travel from across the South and even as far away as Newcastle, as well as bringing across his existing clients from Jack Rabbits in Lymington. He has also developed a specialist range of Fuel hair and beard products including Two-Stroke Beard oil, tattoo balm and bead shampoo.

He said: “Jack Rabbits was great – it got me and up and running and really helped to focus me on what I wanted to do with my own business. I’m not particularly set on opening other shops because barbers are about the people not the labels, but in the future I would like to expand the range of Fuel hair products we sell and make them available online.”

“So far Milford has been incredibly welcoming, lots of local shop keepers have popped in to say hello. I’ve been up to the car wash and spoken to them about customers dropping their car off to be valet whilst they are having their hair cut.”

Future plans include “bridal” packages for men when customers will be able to hire out the whole shop for the morning.

For More information on Fuel Hair Mechanics or to book an appointment visit: www.fuelhairmechanics.co.uk/ or telephone 01590 718992.