Redruth, Cornwall · Established 2013
Three shops. One Redruth story. Hamilton's was established in Redruth in 2013, and the first shop opened its doors on 4 January 2014.
The story so far
After 21 years in the British Army, Liam brought the same standards, resilience and sense of service into a barbershop that would become part of the town — not just somewhere people passed through. Customers became regulars, regulars became friends, and the shop grew without losing its sense of humour or its family heart.
Three shops later, Hamilton's is still on Fore Street, still family-built and still serving the community that made the first shop possible.
The origin
The Hamilton's page was already active while Liam was shaping the idea of a barbershop of his own in Redruth.
The first premises update: the keys were on their way, with a lot of work to be done before opening.
Liam and Sara announced the official opening day — Saturday 4 January.
“So we have an official opening day. Saturday 4th January.”
Shop one · The build
A small moment from the first shop that says a lot about the family spirit behind Hamilton's — everyone pitched in to keep the place running and spotless.
Facebook archive · 6 March 2015
Nigel Farage stopped at Hamilton's for a haircut on 6 March 2015 during a visit to Redruth — an unexpected moment that put the shop and its craft in the spotlight.
One town, three chapters
The first Hamilton's was a small courtyard shop at Cross Street. Liam and Sara got the keys in September 2013, rebuilt the space with family help, and opened the doors on 4 January 2014.
Hamilton's moved to 51 Fore Street — the shop everyone knew as the top shop. The team and the following grew here, and the final cuts were made there in November 2018 before everything moved down the street.
Shop number three was built by hand. Liam and Sara stripped the premises back and turned the space beside Iceland into the home Hamilton's has today. Cutting stopped at the top shop in November 2018 and everything moved across.
24 Fore Street · The build
The current shop did not arrive ready-made. These archive photographs show the dust, tools and long days Liam and Sara put into building the space.
Stripped back
Long days on site
Fitting out
Taking shape
More from the archive
The real history lives between the big moves: people in the chairs, family at the door, everyday work and using the shop to help others. These older photographs are shown as small archive prints, exactly as they survive.
Recognition
Hamilton's was named among the UK's top ten barbershops — national recognition for a Redruth shop built from the ground up.
The first of the Cornwall Top 3 results recorded in the Hamilton's archive.
Further Cornwall Top 3 results reflected the consistency of the team and the loyalty of its customers.
Cornwall's Top 3 for a fourth consecutive year by 2025, alongside the Best Barbershop 2025 title at the Cornwall Hair & Beauty Awards.
UK Top 10 Winner - Barbershop of the Year - The UK Hair and Beauty Awards 2026, placed nationally within the Top 10.
Beyond the barber's chair
Liam served 21 years in the British Army before opening Hamilton's, bringing the same standards and sense of service to the shop floor.
Former barbering tutor at Truro College — teaching the craft as well as practising it behind the chair.
Educator for the Great British Barbering Academy, teaching barbering beyond the Redruth shop floor.
Former educator for The Bluebeards Revenge, sharing professional technique and advice with barbers and customers.
A hot-towel shaving course delivered at Hair Academy South West, training students and teachers.
The craft travelled again when Hamilton's visited Northampton College to teach barbering.
Hamilton's Barbershop and Barbering Academy became a Habia CPD Endorsed Provider — formal recognition of the standard behind its professional education.
Across several visits, Liam taught period barbering for film, television and theatre — Victorian and Edwardian work through to 1950s styling, pompadours and hot-towel shaving.
That teaching experience is what built Hamilton's Academy in Redruth — see the courses we run today.
Community
Hamilton's joined The Cove Macmillan Support Centre's Wellbeing Evening, giving time and barbering free of charge for patients — one of the clearest recent examples of the shop taking its skills beyond Fore Street.
Hamilton's used the shop as a welcoming drop-in space for members of the service community — room for conversation, company and a cuppa. It's the same commitment behind our support for the Armed Forces community today.
Highs and lows
When Covid closed the doors, barbering stopped. The barbers went in different directions, finding work and new paths away from the trade. Reopening was more than unlocking the shop — it meant rebuilding the team, the rhythm and Hamilton's itself.
2020 – 2021 · Covid
24 Fore Street today
The finished shop is bright, busy and unmistakably Hamilton's: a long row of chairs, coffee and a licensed bar, academy training, men's hair systems and sensory-friendly appointments — open seven days a week in the heart of Redruth.
A genuinely busy shop
The team at work
Cuts, character and atmosphere
Follow the next chapter on Facebook, or meet the team behind the chairs today.
Walk-ins welcome, seven days a week. 24 Fore Street, Redruth, Cornwall, TR15 2BQ.
