A barbershop which has been providing fresh cuts to Downham residents for more than 20 years is staying in the family after its founder retired.
Morton’s Barbershop has been in business in the town since Mark Morton opened his first shop a few doors down from its current Bridge Street premises in 2003.
Having grown alongside the town, Morton’s moved to a larger shop on the same street five years ago - with Mark retiring at the end of March.
But the business is staying in the family, with his daughter Hollie, 27, and her fiancé Will Wallis, 31, taking over as the new owners from the start of April.
They are joined by Hollie’s brother Harry, 25, who started training as a barber at Morton’s at the age of 15, as well as Lincoln Bruce (who was trained by Mark and Harry), Anth Paine (who was trained by Lincoln) and Louie Clarke, their newest barber.
Hollie and Will both have previous experience in the world of business - as Hollie owns The Seat Coffee House next door to Morton’s which first opened in June 2022, and Will manages the Baytree of Hilgay garden centre.
His grandad opened the original Baytree Garden Centre in Spalding 55 years ago - with Will opening the Hilgay branch five years ago.
He said: “Hollie’s dad wanted to retire last month and we were presented with the opportunity to take it on. It made sense to do it - we both run businesses of our own.”
Will added: “Our vision is to carry on the family name in a popular, friendly and family-orientated barbershop.”
Hollie, who has been involved in Morton’s since a young age, recalls sweeping the floors to help her dad as a youngster.
“It was really important to keep it in the family,” she said. “It has always been a family-run business and it has always been known for that.”
The couple said they wish to carry on the family legacy of providing the “best haircuts in town in a family-friendly environment”.
Hollie said: “It’s about being modern, present and welcoming but at the same time sticking to those traditions of barbering but modernising it.”
With Downham continuing to grow, they are expecting to see more customers coming into the town centre.
“Downham is such an upcoming town with lots of new-builds and it’s going to bring a lot more people to the town,” Will said.
With this in mind, Morton’s - which also features a studio where tattooist Liam Brinton works - is looking to grow its team in the near future.
The premises also includes a room that is currently available to rent.
The couple said: “We’re looking for something that complements the barbershop and the tattoo studio.”
Despite the change in ownership, the team are keen to emphasise that it will still be the same ethos going forward.
“My dad is still very much involved and is still the face of the business,” Hollie said.
“We offer barbering and tattoos, but it’s also a place for people to come in and talk as well.
“People have one-to-one time with someone. My dad would always say he would be cutting someone’s hair when they’re 10 and then invited to their wedding at 25.
“They play such an important part in people’s lives. A lot of these people come every week.”
She added: “As the town has grown, the barbershop has grown with it from the smaller shop to this bigger space.
“I think a lot of people are really happy that we’ve kept it in the family because my parents [Mark and Lesa] have worked really hard to get the business to where it is today.”
For more information, visit Morton’s Barbershop on Facebook or Instagram pages.
Anyone interested in renting the room can contact Morton’s via mortonsbarbershop@outlook.com