A Rise Park barber has celebrated 50 years since his shop opened and said that if he had the chance he would do it all over again!
Lou Kasparian and his family moved to London from Cyprus in the 1950s and after four years of studying to be a barber he opened his own shop in Rise Park Parade in 1958.
Lou, 70, is much loved by his customers and well-known for his love for a chat about his beloved Southend United.
He said: “It’s not every day that somebody does 50 years in the same area. I feel like I belong here now.
“My father (Andy) gave me some advice and told me to learn a trade. So I did.
“I went to college for four years, and then we found this place in Rise Park and the rest is history.
“I’ve got no regrets, and I would do it all over again.”
He added: “As long as you pay your bills and have punters coming through the front door that is all that matters.
“I’m not the best barber, but I’m not the worst either, and over the years I have got to know a lot about my customers.
“I know all about their lives and about their families, and I have made lots of friends over the years.
“It’s been a wonderful day. I’ve loved seeing everybody, and I can’t thank everybody enough.”
One customer is Romford MP Andrew Rosindell who said: “He has been cutting my hair since I was a toddler.
“He has been an amazing friend not just to me but the whole community, who all turned up to thank him. He’s not changed in all those years, and has really made his shop part of the community of Rise Park.
“Today was a real celebration.
“It’s not just his business, it’s his life, and he shows no signs of stopping any time soon! It was wonderful to be there today.”
Lou said: “He has told me that they have a barber in Parliament but he would rather come to me.
“Which is always good.”
Another customer is former Newham Recorder editor and Rise Park resident Colin Grainger, who said: “I’ve been going to Lou’s since I moved to Rise Park 33 years ago.
“We always have a chat about football, in fact when you walk in he always tells the rest of the customers what team you support.”
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