Bad hair week
Saturday, May 2, 2009 
I've been getting my hair cut at the same place - La Marca, in London, a few yards from Scotland Yard - for 29 years. Even when I lived in Edinburgh in the Nineties I still went there for the occasional trim. (It helped that I was in London every other month on business.)
La Marca is a traditional barber shop. It's run by Peter, who is Italian, with the help of three compatriots, all male. They may be related. I've never asked. In 29 years I've exchanged no more than a handful of words with any of them.
La Marca understand their regulars. Some may be happy to chat but they know that I like to pop in, sit down, have a wash 'n' trim, and talk as little as possible. (Radio 2 is often playing on a radio in the corner, so I listen to that instead.)
They ask what I want, and they get on with it without fuss or delay. It doesn't take long. And when they've finished they hand me a tissue, brush me down, retrieve my jacket and send me on my way minus £15 or so. (Yes, it's cheaper elsewhere but La Marca is worth every penny.)
On Thursday I attended a book launch a short walk away. When it was finished I wandered over to get my hair cut. Unusually, the place was shut. Apart from a fortnight in August, when Peter and his colleagues go on holiday, La Marca is never closed.
I peered through the window. Inside, the lights were off and the normally immaculate interior was looking a little sorry for itself. A piece of torn plaster board was lying on the counter.
I looked around. There was a notice on the window, addressed to customers. The building, it said, is being refurbished and La Marca's lease had been terminated on 29 March. Signed by "Peter and the team", the note added that they are looking for new premises in the area, but there was no further information.
I am gutted. And in desperate need of a trim.
Reader Comments (3)
I go down my local barber in Leytonstone and pay £6, and looks like it!
Where Lambeth Road joins St George's Circus is the lair of some triffic Cypriot blokes who do exactly what it says on the tin.
NB This info may be out of date, but I can't see how they could have gone over, they were simply too good.
God, you men get off lightly - I went to my (ex) hairdresser a year ago and was charged £100!! My hair continued to live a pampered life until I discovered a local hairdresser who'd cut it for £7.00. I don't feel a million dollars when I come out but there's always a trade-off!