A MIDDLESBROUGH business has been named the best barbers in the UK at the prestigious UK Hair and Beauty Awards 2021.

Skins and Needles barbers and tattoo studio beat off competition from over 50 other UK hairdressers and barbers shops to be crowned the UK's Best Barber Shop of the Year at the online award ceremony.

Middlesbrough owner Matthew Salvin set up the Linthorpe Road tattoo shop in 2011, followed by his barbers shop in 2017, and Skins and Needles beauty salon opened in 2018 which is led by his partner Sam Grierson.

It was a double celebration for the team as Sam picked up the Entrepreneur of the Year award at the same ceremony for her beauty venture INeedThatKit.com which she set up with a childhood friend during the start of the pandemic.

The online business was launched in response to the closure of the salon during lockdown and offers customers the chance to get their hands on a range of beauty and wellness kits, as well as activity kits for children and babies.

The duo have claimed an impressive set of titles over the years for their business empire including Salon of the Year 2019, Highly Commended Tattoo Removal Surgery 2019 and Tattoo Removal Surgery of the Year 2018 in the North East Beauty Awards.

In spring Matthew opened a brand new training academy to provide training opportunities for anyone interested in getting into the hair and beauty industry.

Matthew said: "To be named the best barbers in the UK is an incredible feeling.

"I'm proud of our staff and it's inspiring to receive such positive news after this rough period of time that has affected so many businesses like ours. This award has given us the motivation to come back stronger than ever.

"In addition, we've just opened our new training academy that will help local people get trained up in hairdressing and beauty aesthetics which we're all really excited about.

"We'll train people up and help them get into employment, whether that's with a local salon or setting up on their own."

Speaking of the award, Mayor Andy Preston said: "Matthew's passion for the town and his drive and ambition to help people succeed is an amazing example for others to follow.

"These fantastic awards are thoroughly deserved recognition for a brilliant business and a talented team that draw people from across the region to get tattoos and haircuts at Skins & Needles."

The pair have recently secured two further units next door to the current barbers and tattoo studio which will be used to offer more space for their businesses.

The accolade comes after the team won North East Barber Team of the Year 2018 before narrowly missing out on the top spot in 2019 when they were named ‘North East highly commended'.

Approximately 50 staff are employed across the business and are trained in all areas of hair cutting, piercings, tattoos and beauty aesthetics.