Darlington barber retires after 62 years of cutting hair

Peter Lumley’s career started on January 9 1960 at TW Thorpe, 28 Tubwell Row in Darlington where he served a five year apprenticeship and spent a further three years developing his barbering skills.

In 1968, Peter spent three years as a gents hairdresser in Yarm Road Post Office, he took the opportunity in 1971 to become self-employed, working from a barbers on Claremont Road.

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In 1973 he bought a house at 148 Yarm Road and was finally able to run his business from his own home, where he has spent the last 46 years cutting hair in his own premises, Peter's Gents Hairdressers.

Peter Lumley is retiring after 62 years of cutting hair in Darlington

Mr Lumley said: “We bought the house in 1973 but it needed lots of work doing to it to make it habitable.

“Barbering has served me pretty well.

"I’ll definitely the miss the company of having customers though.

“You get to know people pretty well after cutting their hair for many years.

“Some customers I even went to school with so I’ve known them a good while.

“I've got a chap coming in this Wednesday and I went to school with him."

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Peter’s elder sister was a hairdresser and he described her as the instigator of his interest in the industry.

“My father wanted me to join the works but I never fancied that.

“It’s a sad thought in a way but I am also happy to retire and I think I’ve probably earned a rest.”

Peter also regularly went to nursing homes and did local house calls for elderly and disabled clients.

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"I've gone into hospitals, care homes, houses, I've even gone into a police station to cut hair after a customer's son got into a bit of bother and was done for being drunk and disorderly and his father asked me if I'd go in and tidy his hair up before going in front of the judge.

Peter's official last day is next Thursday (December 30) making almost 62 years of cutting hair.

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Working at Yarm Road gave him and his wife Zena the perfect place to bring up their two children.

Peter would like to extend sincere thanks to all of the many customers he has met over the years and is looking forward to his retirement to spend more time with his wife and tending his garden.

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