Raymond Campbell (second left) joins guests in prayer during the blessing of Images Hair Shoppe by Rev. Jim Parkes at the official opening of the barber salon on Wednesday. - PHOTO BY BARBARA ELLINGTON
IT'S NOT your typical barber shop. There are no red, white and blue striped walls or columns, but there's lots to keep the customer satisfied.
Located in the Liguanea Post Mall on Hope Road in St. Andrew, Images has been in operation for over three weeks but officially opened its doors last Wednesday. It takes only a few minutes inside to realise that the facility has only one thing in common with other barber shops - it's a place where people get their hair cut.
One of two partners who operate the business and former banker, Raymond Campbell said that it's a small business and just a step along the road to bigger things. He runs the business with Cable &Wireless head Rodney Davis and together they share the vision of a barber shop with a difference.
"We are all about customer convenience and happiness. We have hired people with a different mind-set about what the industry needs," Mr. Campbell said. He noted that in an industry that has 7,000 hair professionals, we need more than just cutters and stylists. "We need people with great attitudes and a commitment to difference in service," he said.
DIFFERENCES
Whereas in most barber shops it's about simply getting a hair cut, at Images, service begins at the front desk where the customer's records are computerised. Staff observe the company's dress code; there's a kiddies corner; a self-service bar; vending machines; an area for snacking; television sets; uninterrupted music; a reward system for regular customers and wheelchair customer access.
Mr. Campbell stressed that consistency in service will be key to Images Hair Shoppe and that will be maintained if and when they operate the five branches that the corporate area has the potential to take. Currently, the shop can accommodate eight barber stations; two hairdressing stations and one for the wheelchair-bound customer.
