A popular Rawtenstall barber who has been working for 62 years is to finally hang up his scissors.

Tony Winder is all set to retire and hand over the running of the iconic salon on Bank Street to new management.

In 1962, Tony started as a 'gentleman’s hairdresser', with Les Howarth in a Lancashire salon.

After his apprenticeship, he became a camp barber serving two seasons at Butlins in Filey and Minehead before, at 22, he joined Steiners on a world cruise with the Merchant Navy for two-and-a-half years.

In 1969, Tony and his first wife Patricia opened a barbers and ladies salon 'Antony and Patricia' initially on Newchurch Road paying just £2.50 a week in rent.

Then in 1972, they bought the premises on Bank Street. At the salon’s 50th birthday celebrations in 2019, attended by actress Jane Horrocks and many others, Tony discussed his long-term plans.

Tony, 77, said: “Covid meant a lot of those plans had to be put on hold for obvious reasons, but now is the right time to revisit them.

“Two long serving members of staff have bought the business – Charlotte Jeffs, who began as an apprentice here in 1996 and has been Salon Manager for many years, and Katrina Taylor, from Helmshore, who trained in Haslingden and came here in 2017 as a senior stylist and barber and she specialises in children’s hair in our Noah’s Ark children’s salon.

“I am more than confident that the future of Antony and Patricia is secure. Both Charlotte and Katrina have the individual skills, are very loyal, very experienced and dedicated to work and customer service.”

Tony’s second wife Karina, who was also a director, will be reducing her hours, but staying on as a stylist while Tony will be a remote consultant, offering advice and support from a distance.

Around 14 years ago, Tony and Karina bought a narrowboat ‘No Brass’ and from July they will be spending as much time as possible touring the canals. They are selling their home and will be moving to smaller local accommodation.

(Image: Catherine Smyth Media)  Kartina cuts hair inside the Noah's Ark Children Salon

Tony said: “We still have a phenomenal business and a phenomenal team. We’ve had fantastic teams over the years, but the most important one is the one we have now at the moment, who will follow in my footsteps 

“I am proud of the consistency and proud that, after 55 years, Antony and Patricia’s is still a busy salon and we still have those high standards.

“My old boss said the secret to success was treating everyone the same... from billionaires to bingo players.

“This job was my life. I loved the chat and the camaraderie. More than anything, I will miss the customers. I saw them many of them grow up, get married and later have children who themselves went on to become clients. 

“It is with immense regret that I have decided it is time to retire at 77. I love Bank St and Rossendale; it has been good to me and I have always tried to give something back to the Valley.”

Tony was a member of the British Men’s World Cup Training Squad, Lancashire Men’s Champion, and judged hairdressing competitions all over Europe.

He was chairman of Rossendale Valley Motorbike show for many years, a magistrate, former councillor and still is on Rawtenstall Chamber of Commerce.

In 2016 he opened Bosun’s Barbers on the ‘poop deck’ upstairs at the salon, a nautical-themed traditional barbers with 1930s barber chairs – a nod to his sailing days - then two years later came Noah’s Ark, a dedicated child-friendly salon.

(Image: Jan Jarosz) In 2016 he opened Bosun's Barbers with 1930s barbers chairs

Tony said: “When we opened Noah’s Ark it was revolutionary and we have people travelling from all over Lancashire, Cheshire and Greater Manchester to bring their children. We had one person who had visited a similar London salon with their child but they could not do the haircut, so they came to us.

“I have loved seeing stylists who have started their careers at Antony and Patricia’s go on to succeed and I know I am leaving the salon in very safe hands.”