Mobile Barber App Overtakes UK’s Largest High-Street Chain in Barbers

MANCHESTER, UK. 29th April, 2024 - Manchester, UK - based barber app Appacut is celebrating a major milestone in its short history – hosting more professional barbers than the UK High Street’s largest barber chain. 

 

Despite only launching last year, the online marketplace for independent, fully mobile barbers and stylists continues to go from strength to strength. The app allows freelancers and the self-employed to create thriving online businesses without the costly overheads and marketing expenses of their own shop. 

 

Appacut doesn’t employ a single barber, yet it’s quickly becoming one of the industry’s biggest players. In much the same way Uber doesn’t own taxis and Airbnb doesn’t own holiday homes, the relatively young “app for barbers” doesn’t own a single barbershop. 

 

Through a sleek, user-friendly app interface, customers can book a haircut in the comfort of their own homes in just four clicks. That’s great news for people who struggle for time, don’t drive, or simply want to avoid the stress of driving into a town or city and parking their car. 

 

Appacut is now on a major expansion drive, and its management team hopes the promise of a monthly income significantly higher than the industry average will lure even more independent barbers to the marketplace. 

 

All service providers are guaranteed two or three times the wage they can expect working in a traditional brick-and-mortar business. That’s because Appacut promises to top up the earnings of its independent barbers when they hit certain targets – promising them from between £500 for 10 cuts per month, to £5,000 for 'full time' appacutters hitting 200 cuts per month.

 

Michael Lawes from Appacut believes this new and flexible approach to 'on-demand, home services' is on the verge of being the UK economy’s next big disruptor, starting with hair. He said: 

 

“Consumers now want to access their essential services at the click of a button. And if possible, they want the service brought to them. You only have to take a look at the rise of apps like Just Eat, Deliveroo and Uber for evidence of that. 

 

“Appacut is the barbering and hairdressing sector’s answer to this changing demand. Here in the UK, we pay for more than 360 million haircuts every year, so the demand is staggering. 

 

“Our unique app gives customers the ability to browse dozens of barbers and stylists in their area and choose the one that most closely matches their preferences. That’s a process that requires just four clicks” 

 CTO Jordan Ryan Madeley leading the development of the tech platform, explains how technology is at the core of everything they do, to bring ease and convenience to customers, whilst giving barbers a powerful arsenal of marketing and management tools for their customers. He explains:

“The barber visits the customer’s home at the specified time – equipped with everything required for a successful hair-styling appointment. The professional slashes their operating overheads, and the client doesn’t have to venture into a High Street or worry about travel expenses. 

 

“High Street rents and utility bills are at an all-time high in the UK, so Appacut is proving increasingly popular among independent barbers and business owners looking for ways to boost their profitability.” 

 

Appacut already enjoys a loyal following in the Manchester area – a cohort that includes a growing number of VIPs, professional footballers and celebrities. It appears that the opportunity to get a professional haircut without braving the throngs of adoring fans and autograph hunters is an enticing proposition. 

 

Built by the minds behind the Eat Out to Help Out app launched in 2020, Appacut closed a six-figure investment round last year. Appacut are now raising a new investment round now to accelerate growth throughout the UK and beyond.