A MONMOUTH barber will be closing his doors for the last time after 58 years.

Dave Willetts has decided to call it a day as one of the last traditional barber’s in town.

Starting at 15-years-old with his uncle Sid Lee, he eventually set up on his own at the barber shop in Agincourt Square.

Dave’s barbering business has been passed down through the generations after it was founded in 1915 by an uncle of Sid Lee, Ben Morgan.

Back then the barber’s was situated in Monnow Street, in a place that is currently the home of Hair by Jones.

From there it was moved to Agincourt Square by Sid, who took over the business from Ben, and finally to its current home.

“I came in straight from school to work for Sid,” said Dave.

“He taught me everything he knew.

“I’ve got such a wide range of customers,” he said. “At one time I had four generations from the same family coming in.

“I don’t see many older teens and lads in their early twenties, though.

“They prefer to go to the young, trendy barber’s to get their hair cut,” he said.

One thing that keeps the authenticity of the barber’s is the decor.

Everything inside is original, with the sink units being the originals from 1915.

“50 years ago everyone wanted short back and sides.

“Then the fashion was to have long hair, which made business a bit quiet.

“It will be a very sad day to close the doors, but I have decided to call it a day as the trade has dropped off with all the new barber’s in town and all the youngsters prefer to spend twice the money for the same haircut I can give them,” he said.

His last day will be on 31st August when his 58-year career as a barber will come to a close at 4.30pm.