'The Hooters of hairdressing'

News reporter Gareth Edwards is given a trim by Jennie Phillips, with owner Kristina Love looking on and below.

But the owner of Glam Barbers insists that her scantily-clad staff will not be offering any "extras" to their clients.

The shop has opened on Easter Road after owner Kristina Love was turned down for a licence to operate a massage parlour on the premises.

She told the city council's licensing board that staff dressed as French maids and schoolgirls would only offer massages and she would not be operating a brothel.

Sceptical neighbours, however, complained and councillors decided that it was not a suitable business for the area.

Would you or your partner be tempted to go to a 'glam-themed' barbers? Vote here

Instead, Russian-born Mrs Love, 24, has opened a barbers for which no licence is needed, but has kept the sexy outfits.

In reference to the restaurant chain which employs scantily-clad waitresses, she said: "We are the Hooters of hairdressing. We're a barber shop and what we do is gents' haircuts and shaves. Basically it's a glamour-themed barber shop."

She said she thought the objectors had been "confused" when they feared she would open a brothel because her concept of women in sexy outfits giving massages without extras was so unusual.

She said: "It's been a bit unfortunate that I didn't get a licence, but because I've got the barbers, because it's more mainstream and more accepted, it's worked out for the better.

"I think the barbers could be a great success, but I'm not denying that there might be a possibility of me applying for a (massage] licence again."

The hairdressers wear short black skirts, pink vest tops, towering pink stilettos and matching lipstick. The shop is also decorated with photographs of staff in skimpy outfits.

The back room, referred to by Mrs Love as "the shaving room" might raise a few eyebrows among critics. It has no windows, soft lighting and a leather reclining chair and footstool in the centre.

It is clearly designed for privacy, although Mrs Love said she was installing CCTV so she could prove that no sexual services would be carried out there.

She said: "You can tell that the premises aren't equipped to be a sauna. My husband has been supplying us with CCTV cameras to make sure we will be able to stick up for ourselves."

The shop offers a haircut for 10, a beard trim for 5 and even an OAP cut for 6.

Hairdresser Jennie Phillips, 19, from Bonnyrigg, moved to the job from Metro barber on South Clerk Street.

She said: "I wanted to work here because of the theme and how nice the shop was. I think it's a fantastic idea because it's different from every other barbers or hairdressers."It doesn't make me feel uncomfortable."

Roland Reid, secretary of Leith Central Community Council, which objected to the licence application for a massage studio, said: "We did hear that it would be Glam Barbers and we did check to see if that would require a public entertainment licence, but we were told that it wouldn't. We're assured that the police will be monitoring the situation."

GARETH EDWARDS TRIES OUT THE SERVICE

THE silhouette sign above the door is more in keeping with Kappa than clippers, and previous plans for a massage parlour could lead to a few questions about the "finishing touches" offered at Glam Barbers.

The small salon is lined with glamorous shots of owner Kristina Love, as well as pictures of happy customers posing with the sytlists.

Hairdresser Jennie Phillips happily snips away and admits that the "unique" selling point has gone down well with customers, who enjoy "a bit of cheeky banter".

The haircut itself is what you would expect - quick, clean and professional - albeit with the added extra of getting your picture taken with your hairdresser to post online.