The North West’s hair game is going high-tech as a local entrepreneur prepares to launch his new AI-powered barbering service.
Barberoo Limited claims to make male grooming more accessible by not only offering an app-based, on-demand booking service, but also leveraging technology to deeply comprehend customers’ unique needs.
The company’s AI Matchmaking feature delves into client data to seamlessly pair customers with the most adept barbers in their area, perfectly suited for their specific hair type and desired style.
Hoping to redefine the way in which both barbering companies operate, and how people experience their regular trim, the company is also giving its carbon emissions a trim, with staff commuting to and from their clients’ desired locations on electric scooters, allowing people to monitor their progress in real-time via smartphones.
The company has already partnered with a large number of established barbers in Manchester, with plans to sign up more.
The idea for Barberoo came in the throes of lockdown, when founder George Jones witnessed the grooming industry take a nosedive.
Jones now hopes to turn the business into a publicly listed company, giving partnered barbers with the opportunity to hold equity shares in the venture.
“During the pandemic, I like many people, found it challenging to get a haircut. But I was also saddened to see so many barber shops simply close overnight, with many never reopening their doors,” said the founder. “That’s when the idea for Barberoo struck me. I wanted to create an eco-friendlier and tech-savvy solution for grooming.
“Our aim isn’t to replace traditional barbershops, but to enrich them with technology, simultaneously opening doors to an entirely new demographic of clients that might have remained out of reach otherwise.
“For customers, our AI technology is not just a gimmick either. We’ve invested heavily in this transformative element that personalises the grooming journey, matching people up to their perfect barber at their own convenience. Waiting in queues is a thing of the past.”
Barberoo has already raised £500,000 in funding and is currently onboarding businesses via its platform in preparation for customer appointments from the first quarter of 2024. Would-be customers can also sign up at Barberoo.com to ensure they are notified when the app goes live.
By leveraging technology, the company aims to provide a seamless and hassle-free experience to customers while empowering partnered barbers with an opportunity to grow their businesses.
The UK’s hair and beauty industry is worth around £8.6 billion with over 17,000 barbershops across the country, and Jones doesn’t plan on stopping at changing the North West’s barbering scene: “Our vision doesn’t stop at Manchester and the North-West. We’re on a mission to bring Barberoo’s innovative grooming experience to every corner of the UK,” he said. “We’re dedicated to pushing the boundaries, enhancing the grooming experience, and making every client feel exceptional. Barberoo isn’t just about cutting hair. We want to change how people see barbering one cut at a time.”
Jones is also the founder of Sensible Properties, the developer which recently acquired and refurbished Manchester’s Cardinal House into a modern business hub, where Barberoo is now headquartered.
