SOMETHING FOR THE WEEKEND SIR?

Barnet maintenance can be something of a challenge when you are not totally au fait with the local lingo; an instruction lost in translation can lead to you leaving the hairdressers looking like a surprised seventies German porn actor.

So unless you are hoping for a starring role in the retro remake of Wurst Blitzkrieg Bop, the best way to ensure that you remain mullet-free in Barcelona is to pay a visit to Anthony Llorbet’s English Hair Salon.  Slogan: “Don’t let your Spanish come between you and your hair”

Now a chain of five shops, the original Anthony Llorbet’s is at 10 C/ Ros de Olano, in the midst of the colourful narrow streets of Gracia.  Only a few minute’s walk away from the main shopping streets of Via Augusta and Passeig de Gracia, but it feels like a whole world away culturally.

There is a retro feel about the place, with antique barber’s shop paraphernalia scattered everywhere and garish posters promoting Latin haircuts. But while it looks like a traditional gents’ Barbershop, it is in reality a modern unisex hairdressers.

The cutting crew is a complete United Nations of coiffures, but the chatter is in English. Anthony, a Catalan brought up in London has trained his staff well, and it is a proper job with scissors, rather than the usually modern way of randomly waving an electric clipper around the client's head.   And as ever there is the final flourish with some magic product that ensures you walk away feeling a million dollars.  Which is good value for €18, including shampoo and head massage. (Oooooooooo!)