Southport's Wayfarers Shopping Arcade is proving it really is a cut above with the addition of a traditional men's barbers shop.

Owner of The Master Barber's Shop, Robert Rix, has many years' experience in hairdressing and has previously worked at premier salons in London's West End, Kensington and Knightsbridge.

Master Hairdresser Robert, who lives in Birkdale, aims to bring a quality, personal men's grooming service to Southport, with an emphasis on customer service, skill and hygiene.

'I will offer a full service to my clients, bringing back many of the forgotten arts, such as sculpture cutting, precision razor cutting, hot towel shaves, singeing and head and neck massage, says Robert, whose shop opened at the Lord Street arcade last week.

'I will also run an advisory service for my clients where I will recommend what treatments or styles might suit them best. I think men are more fashion conscious now than they have ever been.-

Robert is also one of just a handful of qualified wigmakers in the UK who can make bespoke wigs, often form chemotherapy patients, but also for fashion. The Master Barber's Shop has a separate consultation room so clients can discuss their needs and have measurements taken in privacy. The human hair wigs take around six to eight weeks to make.

Manager of the Wayfarers Shopping Arcade Yvonne Burns said: 'We already have some top-class hair and beauty outlets for women in the arcade and we are so pleased to be able to offer men the same high-quality, personal service. The Master Barber's Shop is an ideal addition to our eclectic mix of retailers and we are sure it will be a big hit with our customers.

Robert, originally from Yorkshire, began his career as an apprentice to a gentleman's hairdresser, aged 15 and hopes to take on his own apprentice barber in the future.