A brand new mobile barber app for customers in need of a trim or hair professionals looking to expand their client base has recently launched in the Greater Manchester area, and it’s so convenient we can see it spreading across the country in no time.
While mobile hairdressers have, of course, been a thing for a long time now, we’re yet to come across an application that wraps the service all into one like some kind of Deliveroo/Uber-esque barber service — until we came across Appacut, that is.
Started by two local barbers, Michael Lawes and George Newbery, Appacut is the mobile haircut app that not only gives customers a convenient new way to book a trim, but also provides barbers and hairdressers with a new platform to source their own customers directly.
The best part of all is that neither party has to stick to the often frustrating opening times of regular barbers; both the customer and the person giving the haircut can book a visit at home, in their office or whatever other setting works best for them.
After trying it out for ourselves, we can confirm the whole thing was super easy.
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You simply open the app and search for local hairdressers by location, availability and the specific services on offer, then once you’ve found a mobile barber or hairdresser you look like the look of, you select a time and location that works for you — all with the press of a button.
Once you’ve chosen your ‘Appacutter’, they must then confirm the booking to complete the process and your appointment will be booked. Simple as that.
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As for barbers and hairdressers looking to join the app and find a new revenue stream of their own, hair professionals easily sign up, list their services and availability; share pictures from their portfolio and previous reviews, all while setting their own prices and workflow
At home……and in the office.
This ability to book haircuts virtually anywhere has the potential to truly revolutionise the way consumers use hairdressers and barbers, and the same goes for those in the trade looking to find more flexible ways to interact with their customers.
Rather than taking time out of their day to travel to a high street or a busy barbershop, people can now squeeze this essential service into a lunch hour, a relaxing day at home, or even at out-of-hour times. Trust us, these lot have already been flooded with plenty of late-night appointments.
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The fact that customers can shop around for the best mobile barbers and hairdressers in their area with photo evidence and honest reviews right at their fingertips will also ensure a reliable and value-for-money service.
Appacut has just launched across the Greater Manchester area but the people behind this project are ambitious and don’t want to stop until this brilliant and highly convenient new service goes nationwide.
Speaking about their vision for the future, co-founder Michael said, “Appacut is all about convenience. A traditional visit to a barber shop or salon can take a huge chunk out of a person’s day.
“We’ve all fallen victim to needing that ‘last minute trim’ be it for an event, holiday or something you forgot about, so we’ve designed Appacut to take the time and stress out of this essential task”. They’re also striving for the same accessibility for people working in the industry too.
“Local barbers and hairdressers are finding it increasingly difficult to make a profit when energy costs and rents continue to soar”, says Michael. “By switching to a mobile working model that requires no permanent premises, our Appacutters are enjoying an unprecedented level of economic freedom and being their own boss”.
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“A big thanks goes to our all-star team of app and web developers on hand and working directly with barbers, hairdressers and customers, listening to feedback and ideas to make sure we provide as good-a-service as possible.”
You can download Appacut for iOS or on Google Play now. New users can even get a 10% discount on their first haircut by using the code ‘CHEEKYSIGNUP‘ and, so long as you’re fast enough, you can even get a completely free haircut by quoting ‘CHEEKYMANCTRIM‘. How’s that for convenient?
A completely free canal-side festival is coming back to Salford again
Thomas Melia
After a successful run last year, the Salford-based Middlewood Locks Fest is returning for a second time with the promise of an even bigger and better programme of entertainment, food and fun.
Taking place on Saturday 10 May from 2pm-10pm, the free festival returns to Middlewood Locks..
Whether you’re local or just looking for a great day out, the festival will have something for everyone. There’ll be plenty of activities and pop-up stalls for you to get involved with, including a daytime market as well as children’s interactive workshops.
Get Living is proud to support the festival for the second year, which celebrates local creativity, community spirit and culture. The event is set to take place on the doorstep of New Maker Yards, Get Living’s canal-side neighbourhood.
With a range of one-three bedroom homes available for rent, New Maker Yards blends spacious, stylish apartments with green open spaces, complete with an on-site cafe and a strong community feel – all at the heart of the vibrant Middlewood Locks neighbourhood, where the festival action is taking place.
For Middlewood Locks Fest, a Makers Market will be taking place throughout the day with items on offer from local makers, artisans, performers and creators, including plants, jewellery, artwork, clothes and produce.
The Canal & River Trust is organising explorer’s activities for kids and families alike, while St Philip’s CE Primary School has worked with artists to create bespoke decorations for the event too.
A completely free canal-side festival is coming back to Salford again. Credit: Karen Wright
If that wasn’t enough for you, how about a special appearance from a canal-side regular as a giant Canadian goose puppet will also be making an appearance to meet festival-goers.
Everything really is catered for here. On top of the makers market and masterclasses, there will also be live music courtesy of a brass band – that sounds like music to my ears.
There’s even the opportunity to go on the water yourself as a handful of rafted canoes will be in use for activities throughout the day.
And of course food is in safe hands too. Street food vendors including Taka Taka Mam will be bringing all the flavours of the Mediterranean and stuffing them into their famous hearty gyros, while city favourites Ginger’s Ice Cream Emporium is popping up from Afflecks to soak up the sun and provide dreamy desserts direct from the canal-side pop-up.
Middlewood Locks Fest, a canal-side festival in Salford. Credit: Karen Wright Photography
And when the sun’s out it would be rude not to treat yourself to a tipple, so good thing that the Adams & Rose Bar is making an appearance to fill up your glass with the finest gin and rum selection.
As the night comes to an end, you can dance the night away to some epic tunes thanks to a live DJ while being surrounded by a mesmerising fire and sound installation to close this spectacular celebration.
Kim Quickfall, Regional Director at Get Living, said: “Last year’s Middlewood Locks Fest was a huge success and we’re excited to be supporting the event again in 2025.
“Bringing people from across Salford and the wider area together, the day will celebrate the best of local culture, enterprise and creativity with activities and events for all.”
Middlewood Locks Fest is returning to Salford on Sunday 10 May from 2pm to 10pm and more information can be foundHERE.
For those that can’t make the festival fun, there are plenty of other things to see and do in the area. From the delicious treats at 97 Degrees Coffee to the landmark Aviva Studios cultural hub, there is plenty to discover in this buzzing neighbourhood.
Explore the 1-3 bedroom homes for rent at New Maker Yards and discover more atgetliving.com.
A theatre adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic spy film North By Northwest is coming to Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Alfred Hitchcock’s much-loved spy classic, North By NorthWest, is hitting the stage and visiting one of Manchester’s most celebrated theatres.
This new, riotously funny production will be visiting HOME theatre for a run of shows kicking off this week.
The show reworks Hitchcock’s film of the same name, following one man who accidentally lands himself in the middle of a Cold War conspiracy.
Now adapted for the stage by Emma Rice, North By Northwest follows an unfortunate mix-up where a mistimed phone call to his mother lands Roger Thornhill in a spot of bother.
Alfred Hitchcock’s classic spy film North By Northwest is hitting the stage in Manchester / Credit: Steve Tanner (via Supplied)
Audiences will see this unlikely (and reluctant) hero head on the run, dodging spies, airplanes and a femme fatale.
For the theatre production at HOME, the classic spy film (that starred Cary Grant) has been turned on its head and stars just six shape-shifting performers.
There’s a fabulous 1950s soundtrack to go with it too – and, apparently, a lot of suitcases.
Tickets are now on sale, and it’s already being described as a must-see / Credit: Steve Tanner (via Supplied)
North By NorthWest promises ‘glamour, romance, jeopardy and a liberal sprinkling of tender truths’.
Artistic director Emma Rice has already adapted and directed products for Wise Children including The Buddha of Suburbia, Blue Beard, and Wuthering Heights, plus worked as artistic director for Shakespeare’s Globe.
The cast is made up of Mirabelle Gremaud as Anna; Patrycja Kujawska as Eve Kendall; Kary Owen as The Professor; Simon Oskarsson as Valerian; Karl Queensborough as Phillip Vandamm; and Ewan Wardrop as Roger Thornhill.
North by Northwest is a co-production with Wise Children, York Theatre Royal, HOME Manchester and Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse, and is currently on a UK tour.
Danny Jones -
27th July 2023 
