Popular barber shop Hoi Polloi take over abondoned Ouseburn site
The Hoi Polloi has opened a third store in the once-abandoned stables on Maling Street in Ouseburn following an extensive renovation process.
Once part of the locally known ‘graffiti wall’ in Ouseburn, the new unit has undergone a total transformation – featuring a brand new façade plus a bright, airy andrefreshing interior with subtle nods to the neighbourhood’s industrial heritage.
The restoration has seen design collective And+Studios, specialist interior furnisher Joe Stewart and North East sign makers, Ellis Signs, collaborate to bring the space to life.
The opening of a new store on Maling Street signifies an exciting new chapter for the expansion of the company. Founder and Owner, Steven Chapman, opened his first store on Nun Street in Newcastle city centre in 2020 – just weeks before the UK was placed into the first covid-19 lockdown.
The business has gone from strength to strength, with The Hoi Polloi picking up numerous nominations and awards at prestigious industry ceremonies and opening a second store in Whitley Bay.
Speaking ahead of the opening of The Hoi Polloi Ouseburn, Steve said: “I have been planning a store in Ouseburn for a long time and I’m so pleased with how the store has turned out.
“Opening a third space in four years is a real ‘pinch-me’ moment, given we opened the doors to our first store and were immediately placed into lockdown.”
Having worked in Singapore, London and Cologne in a career spanning 15 years, Steven is now looking forward to passing on his knowledge and experience to three new members of staff – all of whom are local to the region and recent barber graduates.
Steve said: “I’m so excited to have Sam, Callum and Hamish joining our team.
“They’re great barbers and they’ll each bring their unique style and skills to the table – I’m sure they’ll be a massive hit with both our customers and our staff.”
“They join a team of outstanding barbers who have worked around the world in renowned stores, with big brands and have some huge accolades on their CVs.
There’s a great mix of humble and skilled personalities in our team. It’s such an exciting moment for us all and we cannot wait to be part of the Ouseburn community.”
The Hoi Polloi Ouseburn opened on Friday, August 16 and bookings are now available to make online.