A 55-YEAR-OLD family-run barbers has undergone a slick £20,000 refurbishment in a bid to stay modern and “breathe life” back into the Southend street.
Tony’s, located in Southchurch Road, was first set up by Tony Tullio back in 1967 after he moved to Southend from Italy.
Three generations later, the business is still running with Tony passing it onto his son after he died in 1997 following a short illness.
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It is now being run by Tony’s son Domenico Tullio, 63, and grandson Darren Tullio, 42.
Despite still being popular and having a loyal customer base, the pair decided to give the run-down shop a new look.
After months of work, they have now completed a slick and modern £20,000 refurbishment.
The whole outside has been re-decorated with a new canopy, new signs, double-glazed windows, and tiling.
Darren said: “We knew our old shop was getting run-down on the outside and did need a refurb, but we ran mainly on regulars that have been coming here for generations.
“However, with Project Southchurch, we felt it was time to give our business a lift, and give it a new life for hopefully another 50 years.
“We have already noticed a lot of new faces coming through now on top of all our regulars.
“It has even already increased our footfall, so it is being noticed and it is bringing more people into the road, which is great.
“It was a big investment because it is a time where business are struggling, but we had to just take the jump, and thankfully it has already started to pay off.”
Domenico has been working in Tony’s for the last 45 years, with Darren working their for the last 26 years.
Looking into the future, Darren is now aiming for at least another 50-years with Tony’s barbers.
He said: “I hope we could go on for another 50 years easily.
“I have got a little man myself, Georgio, 2, and daughter Isabella, 13.
“I don’t think when Tony first set this up, he ever thought we would still be going almost 60 years on.
“But it is nice to think that we are carrying this on in his memory, and keeping the family business running.”
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