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Dapper Dean's in Thurston near Bury St Edmunds voted best barbers in England




A Suffolk village barbers has been named the best in England after being put forward for the prize by customers.

Dapper Dean’s Barber Shop, in Thurston near Bury St Edmunds, won the title at the national section of England's Business Awards after previously winning in the regional section.

Co-owners Jo Desmond-Murrells, 53, and Dean Desmond-Murrells, 50, of Barningham, said they felt absolutely overwhelmed and were incredibly thankful for the recent support they've received.

Co-owners of Dapper Dean’s, Dean Desmond-Murrells and his wife Jo Desmond-Murrells, are delighted to win the award. Picture: Jo Desmond-Murrells
Co-owners of Dapper Dean’s, Dean Desmond-Murrells and his wife Jo Desmond-Murrells, are delighted to win the award. Picture: Jo Desmond-Murrells

Ms Desmond-Murrells said: “It’s bonkers. We were really proud to have won the best in Suffolk, but to voted as the best in England is just amazing.

"At the moment it all just feels a bit surreal – we’re ecstatic.

"I’m sure there are barbers out there who are better than us, but we’ve got a lot of brilliant customers, who supported and voted for us. Everyone’s been behind us with this whole thing and without them, we wouldn’t have achieved it at all.”

A screenshot from the video of the barber duo receiving their award in Birmingham. Picture: Jo Desmond-Murrells
A screenshot from the video of the barber duo receiving their award in Birmingham. Picture: Jo Desmond-Murrells

Since winning the Suffolk award at the end of September, Ms Desmond-Murrells has seen Dapper Dean's become more popular and receive an increase in clients.

She said: "We’ve had loads of new customers come in who have all been really lovely."

"It’s been great, and after this, it's quite likely we'll have even more people coming.

After winning the regional award, the co-owners of Dapper Dean's are 'ecstatic'. Picture: Jo Desmond-Murrells
After winning the regional award, the co-owners of Dapper Dean's are 'ecstatic'. Picture: Jo Desmond-Murrells

"Our friends and family are so proud which is also nice."

Following the highlight of their career, Dapper Dean's is fully booked every day and so are busy from start to finish throughout the week, with each barber doing around 15 haircuts each day.

They are looking to build on their recent success and bring on more barbers to help keep up with their growing customer base, as there are only three barbers working in the shop with another barber currently on maternity leave.

"We were really proud to have won the best in Suffolk, but to voted as the best in England is just amazing." Picture: Jo Desmond-Murrells
"We were really proud to have won the best in Suffolk, but to voted as the best in England is just amazing." Picture: Jo Desmond-Murrells

Their most recent addition to the team is Katie Martin, 18, who is a fully trained barber and has completed a level two barbering course in Ipswich, where she is now on an advanced training course.

"We're going to keep doing what we’re doing and also hopefully expand a bit and try and bring in some new younger barbers.

"We’ve got Katie who started with us so we’re training her up and she works with us during the week when she's not at college.

"Hopefully, we keep on building and get some more staff and then we will see where we go from there."