The small town of “Orlan” by Turkish-style barbershops is rebelling plans to open yet another person.
6,000 residents in the Ronda Valley are located above seven traditional beauty salons, all on two streets, with five caterings within a six-minute walk.
Currently, Kurdish businessman wants to open his sixth barber shop in a closed shop. It sparks opposition from the local business community, saying that every 500 residents the town is already “saturated” in one salon.
There are six more Kurdish barbershops in nearby towns of Blackwood and Newbridge (just ten miles from Porth), with cutthroat competitions leading to mob violence earlier this year.
The concern comes after police warn about criminals infiltrating the industry by establishing barbershops as a front desk company to wash out the proceeds of crimes like drug deals.
Over 750 barber shops opened in the UK last year, raising suspicions that gangs are using it despite the wider high street recession.
Last week, enforcement teams across the West Midlands stormed a series of Turkish barber shops and seized more than £500,000 in illegal cash during money laundering crackdowns.
Meanwhile, the unfortunate client takes him to Tiktok and shares videos of unstable haircuts and patchy skin decay.
Snur Abdulhmid, 18, who works at Porth Barber, one of Porth's five Turkish-style barber shops in Rhondda Valley, a population of 6,000, says there are already “too many” such salons in town
The Kurdish businessman wants to open the sixth barber shop in the closed former amusement arcade in Porth. It sparks opposition from the local business community that says the town is already “saturated” with every 500 residents.
One of the five Turkish-style barbers who already trade in the town of Porth in the Ronda Valley is actually owned by the Kurds.
Hannah Street – One of Porth's two main streets once boasted boot chemists, Woolworths, Clarks Shoe Shop, women's fashion stores and men's outfitters.
Last month, the fashion store's new exterior brunch closed its doors forever based on that.
Today, it and neighboring Pontyprid Street, like many of the UK's High Streets, is packed with barbers, nail bars, takeaway and charity shops.
Council planners will consider applying for a new barber, which was the Hannath Street entertainment arcade.
Now, the local chamber of commerce is officially disputing, saying there are already 13 barbers or hairdressers within a radius of less than 550m (600 yards).
I discovered 12 emails online when I visited the town, five of which are Turkish-style barbers, but nothing is run by Turkish people.
“We've been working with Port Barbers on Hannah Street,” said Barber Snur Abdulhmid, 18, who works for Port Barbers on Hannah Street.
“If it's too much, no one can make money.
The 18-year-old Snoor Abdulmid, portrayed in the sky Turkish-style barber in the Porth where he works, said there are already “too many” such salons to accommodate a population of 6,000, adding, “We don't need another.”
Another of five existing Turkish-style barbers in Porth, Ronda Valley – local businesses say the town is already “saturated” and doesn't need another one
Lined up, two of a total of 12 barber shops and hair salons, within a six-minute walk along two streets in the center of Porth.
Pauce, Ronda Valley, currently has 12 businesses offering haircuts – 7 traditional hairdressers, including 5 Turkish style barbers and Jaz hair designs (photos)
“If that continues, we have to close the store.”
Abdulmid said barbers are “legal” businesses, but he knew that barbers in Turkey and Kurdish are seen as the forefront of organized crime and money laundering.
“That doesn't happen here, we pay taxes and VAT,” he said.
When MailOnline visited on a weekday afternoon and part of the men's salon was closed, there were no customers there.
The list includes traditional female hairdressers with names such as Chic and Hair from Janine.
“I use a local barber, but there's nothing in the town centre for others,” said David James, 76, a town retired plumber and heating engineer.
“It's ridiculous to bring so many barbers and hair salons close to each other, and that's not sustainable.
“It makes the town centre unattractive when you offer so many businesses all the same.”
Andy Mullanes, 62, who runs a cafe bar on Hannath Street in Porth, said he is “not in a position to afford to lose a few businesses,” opposes the number of Turkish-style barbers.
Porth Barber is one of five Turkish-style salons for 6,000 residents in Porth, Rhondda Valley.
Signs from closed shops and real estate agents on one of Porth's two major shopping streets show businesses other than barbers, nail bars, takeaway and charity shops are struggling
A survey conducted last year found that locals in Porth felt that there was already an overabundance of certain businesses, including fast food takeout, hairdressers and barber shops.
62-year-old Andy Mullanes opened a cafe bar on Hannath Street after moving out of London six months ago.
“This street is not in a position to afford to lose some businesses. That's the reality.”
A survey conducted by Porth and the District Trade Office last year found that locals “feeling that there were already many businesses out there, including fast food takeout, hairdressers, barbershops and more.
After the Chamber of Commerce posted about the application on social media, many locals commented that there were already plenty of barbers.
“They're overrunning at the barbershop,” he said.
“It makes me wonder if they can all stay in business,” Ian Heritage posted.
Another added:
The Chamber of Commerce is currently writing to the Ronda Sinon Tough Council that a Turkish-style barber would be “harmful” to the town centre.
“Many of our members are hairdressers and barbers, and they came to us with concerns about this application,” Vice-Chair Dan Parry said.
A brawl exploded in the South Wales town of Blackwood earlier this year, over a barber who is due to open in the nearby town of Newbridge.
“The lack of diversity that arises in town centres is also a problem, causing a loss for high street customers.
“If you keep repeating that there are only barber shops in the centre of town, you won't go there unless you need a haircut.
“And then, if you already have a barber in, say, Tonipandi, you are not going to go to Porth.
In a letter opposed to the proposed changes to use, the Chamber of Commerce stated:
“Approving yet another barber shop in a town already saturated with similar businesses would not bring any concrete benefits and would actually cause some harm. It would burden existing barbers/hair salons, erode high street diversity, contradict the council's development plans, and oppose clear national sentiment.”
Applications for change of use are currently publicly available for consultation.