BARBER Malcolm Brown is happy to cut men’s hair - as long as their wives and girlfriends wait outside.

A 21-year-old woman who asked not to be named was furious after she was told she would have to wait outside The Hairdressing Room on Eldon Street because she was female.

She had gone in with her 14-year-old brother, expecting to wait while he had his hair cut.

She said: “It was near to closing time, so it was dark and very cold outside. I couldn’t believe what he was saying.

“I felt very angry and humiliated. He said the shop is for gentlemen only - but I couldn’t see anyone in there acting like a gentleman.”

Barber Malcolm Brown, 60, said that if his small shop was full of women who were not having their hair cut, he would lose business.

He told the Chronicle: “If three of you come in with your wives, my shop’s full. “When that next old age pensioner comes from the bus stop, am I going to tell him to wait outside? No.”

Malcolm says he turns away half a dozen customers every week because they come in with women.

“They’ve got the option - I don’t mind if they go somewhere else. My regulars know not to bring their wives in.

“It’s called the last male bastion.”

Ray Seymour, secretary general of the National Hairdressers’ Federation, said he knew of no legal reason to prevent Malcolm barring women from his shop.

“Legally I think he’s in the clear, but from a personal point of view I find it very surprising.

“I don’t think it’s the way to win people’s hearts or minds. I’ve never heard the like before.”