New barbershop coming to Moana St in Whanganui East

Josh Sharkey is aiming for a "rough, traditional vibe" at his new Whanganui East barber shop. Photo / Bevan Conley

Josh Sharkey began barbering in Melbourne when he was 17, and after honing his craft in both Australia and New Zealand the time has come for him to open something of his own.

"I started a barber apprenticeship in Melbourne and then moved back to Whanganui when I was 18 and finished it off at Barber Town," Sharkey said.

"After that it was another two years in Aussie, then I came back and started working at Monaghans.

"I bought a house in March and got married in May, so I thought that now was the time to open my own business and really give it a shot."

Now he is opening Sharkey's Barbers in Whanganui East.

Sharkey said he wanted to make it easier for people to come in for a cut after they'd finished work.

"I really want to target the tradies in this town, and my hours are Monday to Friday, 10am till 7pm. We got those extra two hours after 5pm just to help out those people who can't make it in before then.

"I'd rather pop in and get a quick haircut after work than waste my weekend."

"A plus side of opening at 10 is avoiding all the traffic on the (Dublin St) bridge, because at nine it's a bit of a nightmare trying to get over it."

The shop would have a "rough, traditional type of vibe", Sharkey said.

"It's something a bit different, and I don't think any other barbers in town have these hours.

"To start with it'll be all walk-ins, and when someone comes in they can write their name down on a pad.

"That'll mean you don't have to wait in line, you can shoot off and get some stuff done in the meantime. Your name will stay on the list for half an hour or so and if you're not back in time for me to cut your hair your name just gets scrubbed out."

Sharkey said he'd noticed that the traditional Kiwi mullet had made a come back with "the young fellas" in the last little while.

"Farmers, builders and plumbers are usually the ones who rock the mullets, and electricians and mechanics tend to go with the old fashioned 'short back and sides'.

"I rocked the mullet once. It's probably one of the easier haircuts to do, so I've got no qualms with them at all.

Aside from mullets, Sharkey said he would be aiming to do more "traditional cuts" like the combover and Mohawk.

Sharkey's Barbers will open its doors within the next two weeks and can be found at 54c Moana St.