From Heritage to the Horizon
In 1896, a small barbershop off Pall Mall quietly opened its doors. It served London’s gentlemen with sharp cuts, hot towels, and the type of service that defined an era. Today, nearly 130 years later, that same spirit of craftsmanship, care, and confidence still drives Pall Mall Barbers forward.
As we approach our 130th anniversary in 2026, I’m proud to share that we’re entering an exciting new chapter, one that celebrates where we’ve come from, while shaping the future of men’s grooming.
This isn’t just a milestone; it’s a transformation. From a single heritage barbershop in London to an international grooming brand with locations in New York City, our story has always been about evolution, about helping men look sharp and feel confident, wherever life takes them. And as any London gentleman knows, the best traditions aren’t meant to stay still; they’re meant to grow.
A Legacy Carved in Craftsmanship
The name Pall Mall carries history in its very syllables. It’s not just a street, it’s a symbol of heritage. The word itself comes from Palle Malle, an old royal game once played by kings and queens on The Mall. After the games ended, merchants gathered nearby to sell their goods, giving birth to the term shopping mall.
When I bought the barber shop just off Pall Mall 20 years ago, I discovered an old business card during the renovation. It read:
“The Pall Mall Toilet Salon – Est. 1896.”
That card changed everything. I realised I hadn’t just bought a business, I’d revived a piece of British history. One of the oldest barbershops in the world was in my hands. From that moment, I made it my mission to preserve the integrity of traditional barbering while giving it a modern London edge to create a space where men could step in for a haircut and walk out with confidence.
Our story has always been about evolution, and that’s exactly what 2026 represents: a Modern Heritage, where craftsmanship meets innovation.
The Next Chapter: A Modern Heritage
As we celebrate 130 years, we’re not just looking back, we’re moving forward.
A Refined Brand Identity
Next year, we’ll unveil a new brand logo and visual identity that embodies everything Pall Mall Barbers stands for: heritage, precision, and progress. The design blends the timeless charm of our barber pole legacy with a sleek, modern aesthetic that mirrors today’s gentleman, classic yet contemporary, confident yet understated.
When you see the new logo, you’ll feel that balance between past and future, a mark of tradition evolving with time.
A New Product Range
We’re also launching an expanded range of grooming products, designed to bring professional barber-quality care into every man’s home. Each product is crafted with the same attention to detail we bring to every haircut, purposeful, high-performing, and refined.
Whether you’re searching barbers near me for a fresh trim or looking for everyday grooming excellence, our goal is the same: to make looking sharp effortless.
Our Story in Print
Another highlight of our 130th year is the launch of our new book, sharing the full Pall Mall Barbers story from our early days on Pall Mall to opening our doors on 5th Avenue, New York, at Rockefeller Center. It’s a story about resilience, craft, and the mindset that’s guided us for more than a century: confidence, consistency, and care.
From London to New York: A Legacy That Travels
When I first stood outside Rockefeller Center, looking up at the building that now houses our New York shop, it felt like a full-circle moment.
Growing up, I dreamed of expanding Pall Mall Barbers beyond London to bring the tradition and precision of British barbering to the global stage. Opening that store was more than a business move; it was proof that heritage, when done right, never goes out of style.
Now, with barbershops in Fitzrovia, Kings Cross, Paddington, Westminster, Oxford Circus, Liverpool Street, and Trafalgar Square, Pall Mall Barbers has become synonymous with refined grooming across the city.
Each location carries the same DNA: the polished chairs, the sharp tools, the confident service. Yet every shop is built for its neighbourhood, serving the needs of the modern man who values time, precision, and presentation.
If you’ve ever searched “barbershop near me” in London and walked through our doors, you’ve experienced what makes Pall Mall Barbers unique:
- A sense of ritual that grounds you.
- A sense of style that defines you.
- A sense of belonging that connects you.
The Barber’s Chair: Where Confidence Begins
Barbering has always been about more than hair. It’s about the experience, that moment when a man sits down, the clippers buzz, and the world fades away for a while. In the chair, conversations flow freely. Stories are shared. Ideas are born. It’s where generations of London men have come to reset to take a breath between the pace of work and life.
That’s why we’ve kept our traditions intact:
- The clean cut.
- The hot towel.
- The finishing touches that elevate the everyday.
But we’ve also embraced progress. Modern tools. Modern training. Modern style. Because we believe confidence isn’t created by copying the past, it’s created by refining it. When you see that barber pole spinning outside our barber shops, it’s more than a sign; it’s a promise: that you’ll leave sharper than you arrived.
Building the Future of Men’s Grooming
For 130 years, Pall Mall Barbers has been helping men Stay Sharp and Keep Groomed. But as we enter this new era, we’re going to further expand from our barbershops to your bathroom and beyond.
Professional Standards for Everyday Use
Our new product line brings barber-grade performance to daily routines designed by barbers, tested by clients, and built for men who expect the best. From beard oils and shaving creams to shampoos and styling products, every formula captures the same precision we deliver in-store. It’s about empowering men to bring the barbershop home without compromise.
Grooming as a Mindset
At Pall Mall Barbers, grooming has never been about vanity; it’s about self-respect. The simple act of taking care of yourself can change your mood, your posture, and your day. That mindset has carried us through wars, recessions, and revolutions. It’s what’s carried our clients from the early gentlemen of St. James’s to the modern men of Soho and beyond.
And it’s what will guide us for the next 130 years.
Honouring the Past, Embracing the Future
As we prepare to reveal our new brand identity, I can confidently say this: the best of Pall Mall Barbers is yet to come. We’ve always believed that tradition and innovation aren’t opposites; they’re partners. Our next chapter is proof that heritage can evolve without losing its soul.
The barber pole will still stand proud outside our doors. The craftsmanship will remain. The familiar smell of shaving cream and the sound of scissors will always be there. But the look, the energy, and the experience, that’s where the future begins.
A Message to Our Clients
To every man who’s sat in our chairs from London to New York, thank you. Your loyalty, your conversations, and your trust have shaped this brand as much as any cut or shave ever could. Our evolution is about you, the modern gentleman who values tradition but lives for progress.
As we enter our 130th year, I invite you to join us in celebrating a new era of Modern Heritage, a movement that keeps one foot in craftsmanship and the other firmly in innovation. Because at Pall Mall Barbers, we don’t just cut hair — we shape confidence, legacy, and identity.
The Next Era of Sharp
130 years young and we’re just getting started. Our new logo, our expanded product line, and our upcoming book are more than milestones; they’re markers of a promise: to continue delivering the same standard of excellence that’s defined Pall Mall Barbers since 1896.
So, the next time you walk past a barber pole or search for “barbers near me”, remember you’re not just looking for a haircut. You’re looking for an experience built on 130 years of craftsmanship, community, and confidence.
Pall Mall Barbers – Where Heritage Meets the Future.
Book your next appointment today or visit one of our iconic London locations to experience the evolution firsthand. The new era begins, and it starts with you.
PALL MALL BARBERS LOCATIONS
PALL MALL BARBERS FITZROVIA
45 Fitzroy St. Fitzrovia
London, W1T 6EB United Kingdom
+44 20 7387 8787
PALL MALL BARBERS KINGS CROSS
68 York Way Kings Cross
London, N1 9AG United Kingdom
+44 (0) 207 112 2372
PALL MALL BARBERS PADDINGTON
23 Sheldon Square, Paddington
London, W2 6EY United Kingdom
+44 (0) 207 112 2373
PALL MALL BARBERS LIVERPOOL STREET
1 Finsbury Avenue, Broadgate
London, EC2M 2PF United Kingdom
+44 (0) 207 626 0123
PALL MALL BARBERS TRAFALGAR SQUARE
27 Whitcomb St., Trafalgar Square
London, WC2H 7EP United Kingdom
+44 (0) 207 930 7787
PALL MALL BARBERS WESTMINSTER
11 Palmer Street, Westminster
London, SW1H OAD United Kingdom
+44 (0) 203 267 0001
PALL MALL BARBERS SOHO
Intimissimi Uomo | First Floor
266 – 270 Regent St | Oxford Circus,
Soho, London W1B 3AH
+44 (0) 207930 2592
PALL MALL BARBERS FITZROVIA
45 Fitzroy St. Bloomsbury
London, W1T 6EB United Kingdom
(Postal address)