I went to a barber shop that is said to be the best in Hampshire.

Following his win in the Hampshire Best Barbers category at the 2024 England Business Awards, we decided to schedule an interview with AK Serdar, the man behind the letter.

The 36-year-old has been running AK Grooming Room on Above Bar Street since 2017. I came in to ask what they are doing to make this shop the best barbershop in the area.

But after a short conversation, AK's passion got the better of him and I was ushered to a chair to find out firsthand.

A haircut at AK Grooming Room begins with a quick rinse in the sink. (Image: Newsquest) I had never had a full-fledged Turkish haircut before, but AK guided me through it all, starting with a hair rinse and a high skin fade on the sides.

Read more: AK Grooming Room barbershop named Hampshire's best barbershop

Explaining that he has 23 years of experience since he started working as a tea boy for his father, AK explains what he does at each stage as he paints a picture of the art behind the haircut. I did.

At AK Grooming Room, the devil is in the details. As soon as I entered the store, I was offered a drink. There aren't many barbershops that can say they do that.

AK Serdar with the famous otitis that singed the long hairs around his hair. (Image: Newsquest) Next, I used a cutthroat razor to reshape the back of the head to remove stubborn hair loss at the bottom of the fade.

This was followed by the famous ear flaming, where the barber uses a flame stick to quickly scorch the long hair around the ears.

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After rinsing my hair again, I felt pampered as a warm towel was applied to my face and my body was wrapped in a warm, damp cloth.

One of the final steps is a hot towel wash, something you'll never see at most barber shops. (Image: Newsquest) Some people may find this massage cramped, but I definitely felt at my limit. The AK allowed me to breathe, but I didn't find this the most comfortable step.

The hospitality at AK Grooming Room was amazing and everyone who came, myself included, was welcomed like family.

A child came to give the famous cat “Wiggle” a treat.

The shop has a strong sense of family and now competes nationally with other regional 'Best Barbers' award winners.