Derby barbers secures NatWest funding deal
A Derby barber shop, The Cutting Club, has undergone a revamp following a funding injection from NatWest.
Owner Paul Fitzsimons, who has 40 years’ experience as a barber, used a five-figure business loan from NatWest to refresh The Cutting Club brand and invest in a refurbishment of the shop, including redesigning the frontage and purchasing four new chairs.
Fitzsimons and his team, which includes son Niall – who recently completed an apprenticeship – and Jamie Williams, who has worked in the business for 16 years, explored various ways to boost The Cutting Club brand, focusing on social media to attract a younger clientele alongside regular customers.
Having provided an original loan to buy out Fitzsimons’ business partner in 2013, NatWest’s Andrew Styles, relationship manager in Derby, worked on a refinancing plan to provide extra funding for the revamp.
Fitzsimons said: “The more we’ve invested in the business, the more successful we’ve become. Having Andrew and NatWest on board to support us through these changes has helped us to grow. It’s given me a new lease of life and I’m looking forward to growing the business into something I’m really proud to leave to Jamie and Niall.”
Styles added: “This highlights NatWest’s approach to building a positive relationship with our customers. Our aim is to grow with businesses and develop support to meet our customers’ plans and ambitions. The Cutting Club is going from strength to strength and we are proud to share in its success.”
