One of the longest serving barbers in Lancashire is set to retire after 50 years.

Clive Wallwark, who runs Clive’s Barbers in Abbey Street, Accrington, will call it a day at the end of the month after five decades serving families from across Hyndburn and Blackburn.

Clive, 67, began working in October 1972 in a barbers only two doors away from where he is now. 

He said: “The barbers were called Plus 2 back then and I was working with a wonderful gentleman named Gordon Kenyon.

“Remarkably he is still working across the road at the grand age of 78!”

Clive would go on to work at Back Abbey Street before coming back on to Abbey Street to work at a store run by his dad, Roland.

“In the eighties, I ran Clive'n'Martins Hair studio on the stretch for several years before touring America and then I sold it to move to Tenerife. The latter trip didn’t work out so I came back to the area.

“My father used to run a vacuum shop at the time, aptly named The Vac Shop. I later got a spot at the back of the shop where we are now in 1990 and I have been here ever since.”

Blackburn Rovers fan Clive once featured in a BBC Panorama programme on football supporters in the late seventies. He has also over the years met whole host of stars including Rovers captain Derek Fazackerley and Chris Sutton.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph in 1998 he revealed Monday morning would see insults and jibes flying across his shop when various football factions meet up.
He said at the time: "I used to be really serious about the football and followed Rovers home and away.
"There have been a lot more downs than ups over the years but I lost my dad a few years ago and that put things into perspective for me. That changed my outlook on life.
"But you still get a lot of banter in the shop on Monday mornings. I used to get a lot of grief from the Burnley fans but things have changed and these days it tends to be the United supporters who come out with the comments."
He said he had seen the town and styles change over the years but he had never fallen out of love with the area and the people.

“In the seventies it was all about getting a hairstyle like David Bowie and Rod Stewart. Styles were constantly changing.

“The price for a wash and cut back then was 40p. I still charge only £8 now which is a lot less than most.

“Accrington really was buzzing in them days with all the nightlife and the range of pubs.”

Through the decades Clive has styled the hair of generations of families.

“I have had people coming back to me for decades and I have seen their children grow up.”

Clive opens his shop from Thursdays through to Saturday and said he would close the shop for the final time on 1 March.

“I would like to thank all my customers for sticking by me. It has been wonderful journey working in a wonderful town and with some wonderful people.”