Lou's Barber Shop owner fears for future of 54-year-old shop

Lou Kasparian, 76, set up Lou’s Barber Shop in Rise Park Parade 54 years ago, having moved to London from Cyprus in the 1950s. 

In that time, he has cut and styled the hair of generations of locals. 

In 2018, at the celebrations for the shop’s 50th anniversary, Mr Kasparian told the Recorder: “I’ve got no regrets, and I would do it all over again.” 

However, as a variety of pressures continue to build up, from the cost-of-living crisis to increased competition, Mr Kasparian said business is “not doing that great”. 

“I have got no hesitations that people that are known to me over the years...they are loyal to me,” he said. 

“But unfortunately, people move away.” 

Mr Kasparian added he has also found it tough as more barber shops have opened in the area, with another proposed for Rise Park, just down from Lou’s current spot. 

He said that while more shops “might not affect us straight away...eventually it will”.

Lou's Barber Shop is located in Rise Park, just north of Romford (Image: Google)

Colin Grainger, an ex-editor of the Newham Recorder who lives in the area, described Mr Kasparian as “well-liked in the community”. 

“We moved over here 35 years’ ago, and I have been going to see him ever since,” he said. 

Romford MP Andrew Rosindell has also paid tribute to Mr Kasparian, describing the shop as “an institution in the Rise Park and Marshalls Park area”. 

“He has cut my hair for over half a century and generations of families go to him,” Mr Rosindell added. 

“Even when they move out of the area, they come back to Lou. 

“He is a wonderful man that has served the community so well for so long and is a friend to thousands of local people.” 

Despite the growing pressures, Mr Kasparian said that while those walking past may “see an old guy standing there”, he remains the barber he has always been. 

“I enjoy my work, I’m still capable. I live round the corner and I love the banter with my customers,” he said. 

“It’s a way of life.”