Working Title: Tony’s

This ongoing project documents Tony’s Barbers, a long-standing small business in Levenshulme, Manchester. Shot over five months during autumn and winter, the work explores the presence of a familiar local landmark within a community whose surroundings are ever changing.

Since moving to the area, I found myself gravitating towards Tony’s facade. Its 1960s shopfront, with white italic signage and the distinctive upside-down “N”, stands apart from the surrounding street and became something I noticed almost every time I passed. I began photographing the exterior from a distance, returning to the same spot outside Tesco over time to observe how the building sits within the everyday landscape.

After eventually catching the opening hours, I introduced myself to Tony and began photographing inside the shop. The interior, filled with a mishmash of City and United memorabilia, reflects both the character of the space and its social role within the area. 

Speaking with customers and locals, it became clear that it is not just somewhere people go for a haircut. Together, these images document not only the appearance of the barbershop but its place within the local community.