A YOUNG entrepreneur is branching out to open his second barber shop in the district.

Ashton Joseph will open his second MR Barbers franchise shop in his hometown on Newlands Street, Witham.

The 23-year-old already owns a busy barbers in the centre of Braintree High Street but despite a difficult 18 months for the industry, Ashton wanted to expand further.

He says the biggest problem he faced during the pandemic was “the timing of everything”.

Braintree and Witham Times: Ashton JosephAshton Joseph

Ashton said: “Due to Covid and people working from home, everything seemed to take a lot longer than it usually would. Training up a new team has been a challenge but we’ve worked together to make it happen even when the restrictions just kept pushing the date back a bit further.

“I am buzzing to be opening in Witham. It’s the town where I grew up and as a barber, being able to open a shop in your own town feels like the biggest achievement.

“I just want to give the very best haircuts and service to the people that I’ve been surrounded by my whole life.”

MR Barbers will open on Sunday, August 29, with an experienced team ready to style everyone from kids to seniors.