A Welsh town with fewer than 6,000 residents now has 14 hair salons after a controversial new barber shop was approved.
The Kurdish businessman's plans to open in a vacant amusement arcade in Porth, South Wales, sparked anger among locals.
Residents complained the town was already "saturated" with hair salons, with one now existing for every 426 people based on the 2021 census.
Despite 34 separate letters of objection, Rhondda Cynon Taf's planning committee approved the application for the new barber shop.
The business will open in a former amusement arcade on Hannah Street, one of Porth's two main roads.
There are already 13 hair salons in the town, many of them Turkish-style barbers, though they are reportedly run by Kurds.
A street view from Porth
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Six additional barber shops operate in the neighbouring towns of Blackwood and Newbridge, just ten miles away.
Local barbers have expressed concerns about the growing competition.
Snur Abdulhmid, 18, who works at Porth Barbers, said: "There are too many, we don't need another one. If there are too many, no-one can make money."
David James, 76, a retired plumber from the town, called the situation "ridiculous" and "unsustainable".
Andy Murrains, who opened a café bar in Hannah Street six months ago, noted: "This street is not in the position where it can afford to lose a few businesses."
Hannah Street once boasted a diverse range of shops including Boots, Woolworth's, Clarks, and various clothing retailers.
Shops in Porth have been struggling over the past few years
GOOGLE STREET VIEW
The high street has seen significant decline in recent years.
In March, a New Look fashion store closed its doors permanently.
The changing retail landscape has left many vacant premises, with hair salons and barber shops increasingly filling the gaps.
Some locals feel this lack of retail diversity is deterring visitors to the town.
The trend in Porth reflects a nationwide pattern, with more than 750 barber shops opening across the UK last year despite broader High Street decline.
This rapid growth has raised concerns among police about criminal infiltration of the industry.
Some shops are suspected of being front companies for money laundering activities such as drug dealing.
Just last month, enforcement teams in the West Midlands seized over £500,000 in illegal cash during raids on Turkish barber shops.
Planning officers recommended approval despite the objections, stating in their report: "The principle of commercial development at the site is acceptable and by bringing the property back into beneficial use, would result in a positive contribution towards the wider retail centre."
Porth in South Wales
GOOGLE STREET VIEW
They added that the application complied with Local Development Plan policies regarding visual impact and effects on "amenity and privacy of neighbouring residential properties."
Councillor Loretta Tomkinson had pointed out during the debate that the town already had plenty of barbers.
Critics say the 34 objection letters understated the true level of public opposition.
A survey by Porth and District Chamber of Trade found locals felt there was already an "over-abundance" of certain businesses including barber shops.
When the chamber posted about the application on social media, residents expressed frustration.
One commented: "They are overrun with barbershops."
Another said: "Does make me wonder how they can all stay in business."
A third added: "Objection raised, more need to do the same, this is getting beyond a joke."
