BUSINESS is booming at a barbershop which won a David and Goliath battle with the council to allow it to trade in a supermarket car park.

Barber’s Den, which runs from a cabin in the car park of Asda in Turner Rise, Colchester, opened in September 2014 but was contacted by Colchester Council a month later after a complaint made about its location.

The management then applied for retrospective planning permission, which was turned down by the council who cited a poor design and inappropriate location despite being backed by Asda who said they would consider the arrangement in other stores across the country.

However after an appeal was lodged to the Planning Inspectorate, the decision was overturned in December last year and the Barber’s Den has extended their opening hours and taken on new staff.

Owner Denise Simpson, and her business partner Danny Parrott, now have three barbers working for them which has allowed them to open seven days a week, while they remain open until 8pm on Monday and Wednesdays so commuters and workers at Colchester General Hospital can pop in for a trim.

Ms Simpson said the business had gone from strength to strength.

She said: “When we had the appeal hanging over us it was difficult to attract staff because people were worried about the future.

“But now it is a genuine full time operate with me and my business partner and three members of staff to cover seven days a week. It is going really well.

“Before we were just doing Monday to Saturday and did not have the staff to open late nights.

“Since we got planning permission things have taken off and I am totally happy.”

For full details on opening hours visit thebarbersden.co.uk