The Barber Academy Celebrates Ten Years

Friday, 30 January 2026 13:00

The Barber Academy is marking ten years since first opening its doors on Fisherton Street, celebrating a decade of training new and experienced barbers while operating as a fully working barbershop.

The Barber Academy combines a live retail barbering environment with hands-on education, allowing trainees to learn in real working conditions.

The academy offers a range of courses, including 12-week programmes for those new to barbering and shorter one-week and one-day courses for experienced barbers looking to develop their skills. Successful completion of the longer programme leads to an NVQ Level 2 qualification, preparing students to move straight into employment.

Founded and owned by Tanz Ashton, The Barber Academy continues to operate as an active barbershop, with Tanz cutting hair on-site alongside two programme graduates who now work as professional barbers at the academy. #Over the past ten years, more than 350 people have completed the course and gone on to work in the industry, with two former students achieving national Barber of the Year titles.

“We’re incredibly proud to reach this milestone,” says Tanz Ashton, Owner of The Barber Academy. “Keeping a business going for ten years is an achievement in itself, especially in the current climate. What matters most to us is what our students have gone on to achieve. Barbering remains a strong career choice, and demand for men’s grooming continues to grow.”

David Swayne-Shaw, the academy’s first point of contact and the person responsible for curriculum and theory, highlights the academy’s role in career development. “For ten years we’ve helped people enter the profession, and at a time when many are uncertain about their future, barbering offers a solid option for both first careers and career changes,” he says. “We see people from all backgrounds complete the course and move straight into work within 12 weeks.”

Further information about courses and enrolment is available at www.thebarberacademy.co/.

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