TWO barbers have sharpened their scissors one last time after more than 40 years working together.

 

Bill Wendon and Bob Knights opened Uppercut in March 1989, in London Road, Stanway, 17 years after they first began working together in Colchester.

The pair, aged 70 and 66 respectively, have also become avid fundraisers and have raised more than £75,000 for groups such as the Guide Dogs for the Blind, Dogs for the Disabled and Essex Air Ambulance.

“I will certainly miss it,” said Mr Wendon.

“The job was all about people and the day-to-day banter was great.

“I like to think the customers enjoyed it too.”

He added: “There is one customer whose hair I have been cutting since 1959, so you get to know people quite well.”

Both men now plan on spending more time on the golf course in retirement and hope to have more time for their families

On January 2013, the pair signed over the lease to Stacey Wheeler, who has been working with them since June 2012.

She plans to keep the business in exactly the same way Mr Wendon and Mr Knights have run it for 24 years.

Opening times will continue to be 7am to 7pm Monday to Saturday.