Barber's clever plan to 'cut' waiting times with webcam in shop

Scott Patel, who owns Scotts Barbers in Winter Hey Lane has worked with a friend to create an idea called “barbercam”, where customers can see how busy his barbershop is before setting off for a haircut.

The system works through the use of a webcam, which shows a live image of the waiting room — and the idea has proved so successful that Scott is now marketing the idea to other barbers.

Mr Patel, aged 26, who lives in Horwich, has owned and ran the Horwich-based barbers for more than three years.

He learnt his trade from his father Noggi, who runs Noggi’s salon in Bank Street in the town centre.

Speaking about his idea, he said: “It is something that I thought about a long time ago, but at that point I don’t think the technology was there to make it happen.

“More recently I spoke to a friend of mine, Rick Hope, who is a software designer and he said we could get it sorted.”

The result is a website with a live streamed image of the waiting room and Mr Patel said the idea has been so well received by customers that he and Mr Hope are now launching it as a separate business.

The 26-year-old said: “The idea is that we will go into other barber shops and fit the webcam, set up the website and then manage the whole thing — we already have one business signed up and we think it can be a huge success.”

The business owner, who used to work for his father, said setting up his own shop was a “massive risk” but after more than three years believes it was a great decision to make.

He said: “I am a trained barber so that is the easy bit — but managing staff and running the business side was all new to me, but I think I am getting there.

“We have customers from all over Bolton and they are very loyal.

“Me and my dad are very alike, so it is probably for the best that we work in different towns — but he trained me up and I wouldn’t be where I am without him, he is very good at what he does.”

You can see Mr Patel's webam live here.