Living customers describe Brummie Barber Melvin Eley as a “local legend.”
Melvin gentleman's hairdresser on Richmond Road, Steckford
Birmingham Barber, who started his business at the age of 13, continues to work in the same store almost 65 years from now and has no plans to slow down. “Local Legend” Melvin Ellie has been running the same barber shop in Steckford for decades, where he has been cutting the hair of footballers and local politicians over generations.
Melvin, 76, began working as a Saturday boy at his current barber shop when he was only 13 years old. “I worked for (at the time) Tony for 24 years and bought him. It's always the same store. I sometimes put a little emulsion on it,” Melvin said.
Melvin chats with us as customers play the waiting room newspapers and says, “I have 40 years of clients. One customer, John, has been here for 66 years. I'm stuck with haircuts now.
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Melvin's store is the last one on Richmond Road in Steckford, where he cuts hair for an entire generation. He recently fought prostate cancer, widowed last year, and caught Covid at the height of the pandemic, navigating the costs of credit crunch and living costs to lift his business up.
“It was a bit late at first, but it was built up over the years, with everything going on over the past few years,” Melvin said. Melvin bought the store from Tony, the original owner, about 40 years ago, but did not look back.
“My kids say they're timed out a bit, but on the other hand, I'm still here and enjoying what I'm doing this year, just like any other issue.”
Melvin revealed what he defeated this career path, saying, “One day I went to another barber shop and he didn't have time to cut our hair, so I went to this shop where I am now and had a haircut with Tony.
“He took me from there. I've been a barber ever since. The day I went by the store was very good. It still pays for itself, I pay the bills and pays all the issues.
Melvin, born in Green from Kitz, also has a home run when it comes to Google reviews. All of his customers are giving five stars. On Melvin's Google Business Page, Lee wrote:
Carl Stewart added: “Since I first moved to the area in 1989, I have been to Melvin for a haircut and I don't think I'll see anywhere else.
Other reviews celebrate how traditional he is and call him a “local legend.” Melvin, a grandfather until age 17 and great grandfather, maintains his busy schedule and opens his store on Tuesdays and Sundays off, from 9am to 1am, Monday through 1am.
He said: “I'm not really complaining about doing half a day. I had hip surgery and treatment for prostate cancer, so the store has been very late this year.
“I'm very pleased with what I'm doing. It's my choice to keep going as much as I can. Some people say they're coming from home and live in their own home, so they're coming here.” He revealed this year that he was forced to change prices. This remains very low in an age where men can pay £30 for simple hair fades.
“I've put the price on the elderly up to £7. The younger kids all go to new shops, but my patrons keep me going. My kids say they're spending a bit of time, but this year, along with other issues and other issues, I'm still here.