A barbershop forced to close because greasy blocked drains caused repeated flooding has re-opened in a new premises with a twist. The Lost Boy barbershop was a staple of Pontypridd town centre following its opening in 2018.
Owner Josh Downes wanted the shop to be a place where men could feel comfortable talking about their mental health. Josh, 28, has previously spoke openly about his issues with mental health in the past
But he was dealt a major blow last year when he was forced to close after his business suffered repeated flooding caused by a blocked drain. He ordered a private company to carry out a drainage report and to clear the drain in August, after the back of his shop flooded due to the blockage.
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The drainage report, which was seen by WalesOnline at the time, said the blockage had been cleared and indicated that the cause was "grease and fat being poured down the drains." A spokesperson for Rhondda Cynon Taf Council later confirmed that teams from trading standards had visited food premises in the area to remind them of their waste disposal responsibilities. You can get more Pontypridd news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
Josh was devastated to close the barbers, but has now come out fighting with the re-opening of a new premises, which will welcome its first customers on Friday, February 24.
The new shop will open in Mill Street, in the building which was once the Post Office. And it will have a twist. Josh has teamed up with trainer company, the Sneaker Cartel, and will sell exclusive and sought after Nikes and Jordans in the shop. But, fear not, they won't be covered in hair, as the one-of-a-kind shoes will be shrink wrapped while on display on the shop floor.
Josh said he was faced with bankruptcy with the closure of the last shop, and it was either open a new business or give it all up. He said: "I had spent quite a lot of time. I had completely given up on the idea of it.. I got completely obsessed with trying to hold those responsible to account and I realised the position I am in is make or break. Either I stopped and went bankrupt or moved on.
"I had to keep going basically. I thought, 'I am not putting myself through all the stuff of bankruptcy for something that was not my fault'."
Some members of the original Pontypridd team, including barber Regan, will return to the new shop and Josh said they were both really excited. They also have some new members of the team joining. "I am excited to get my normal life back," Josh said. "I have another shop in Beddau but this Pontypridd one is where I worked, it is mine, I can't wait for that back."
Josh was still hopeful someone would be held to account for the problems caused in his old shop that forced him to cease trading there.
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