A new barbershop has been given the green light to open in a beauty salon's former premises. 

The space in Pettits Lane, just outside Romford, was occupied by The Beauty Lounge before the company decided to go mobile earlier this year. 

In September, Sercan Erdal submitted an application to turn it into a barbershop, with the intention it would be open between 9am and 7pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm on Saturdays, and 10am to 4pm on Sundays and bank holidays. 

Another local barber, Lou Kasparian, who has run Lou’s Barber Shop for more than 50 years, raised concerns about the proposal, due to what he deemed to be the proliferation of such shops in the area. 

The application has now been approved by Havering Council officials, with a condition that development must take place within the next three years. 

The decision notice also states that the premises must only be used as a barbershop, and that the hours listed above must be adhered to, unless consent is given by the council to operate outside them. 

View the application on Havering Council’s planning portal using the reference P1490.22. 

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