The longest serving barbershop in Swanage, Dorset, is having to close on the last day of 2025 after learning of a proposed rent rise of 375 percent.
Sandie’s Barbershop opened its doors on Swanage High Street in 1995 and has survived a number of economic crises since then, including the credit crunch recession of 2008 and the Covid pandemic.
Sandie Denty (right) will be saying an emotional farewell to the barbershop she has run for the past 30 years
A farewell party to say goodbye
After the premises was bought at auction in October 2025, business owner Sandie Denty heard that a rent rise was on the way – but was shocked to hear how much extra was being asked.
The current rent for the barbershop, in a Grade Two listed building, is £200 a month, which Sandie accepts is low, but the new landlord has asked for an extra £750 to take the monthly rent to £950.
Their current agreement ends on Wednesday 31st December 2025, so the shop will be open until 1 pm on New Year’s Eve, followed by a farewell party to say goodbye to a part of Swanage’s history.
In 2026, Sandie’s long serving colleague Lindsey Townsend will be working out of Billion Hair in Mermond Place, Swanage, and making home visits, while Sandie herself will continue with her mobile barber business.
Colleague Lindsey Townsend (left) has been working at Sandie’s since 2007
“It was a real shock”
Sandie Denty said:
“It was a real shock, I can’t see how new landlords could put up rent so much, to a point where shops have to close. Swanage is a difficult place to work, it doesn’t have through trade like Poole or Bournemouth and we have to rely on locals for our business.
“It’s only in summer when we get some extra trade and even then we are a fair distance out of the town centre. How anyone can expect small businesses to survive when rents go up like this, I just don’t understand.
“Lindsey has been around for a long while and hopefully her customers will follow her down to Billion Hair, while I shall pick up on doing mobile where I can – that’s our plan.
“We do have a lot of lovely and loyal customers and we have always managed to keep going through 30 amazing years – so a huge thank you to everyone who has supported us. It may be goodbye to our shop, but it will also be hello to an exciting new future.”
Balloons for the shop’s 25th anniversary in 2020
“I think it’s going to be quite emotional”
Sandie added:
“I knew that the building had gone up for auction at the start of autumn, but it was December before our new landlord came in to see us and told us about the rent rise.
“I pay £200 a month at the moment, which I know is small, but we are out of town and business has gone down, but the new landlord wanted me to pay £950 a month.
“She did ask me what I would be prepared to pay and I said I would pay another £100 which I thought was quite generous, but she said that wasn’t acceptable.
“Our final day is New Year’s Eve, we’ll open in the morning and then have a little get together of friends and neighbours who want to come in and say goodbye, I think it’s going to be quite emotional.”
The High Street building still has many original features and sash windows
Grade Two listed building
Somerleigh House, at 191 High Street, Swanage, is a three storey Purbeck stone house built in the early 19th century and is listed for its special architectural or historic interest.
The ground floor barbers still has many original features, sash windows, and an entrance door with original moulded stone pilasters and cornice.
At the turn of the 20th century, it was a busy greengrocers, tobacconist and sweet shop called A.T. Day’s, but had fallen into disrepair by the time Sandie Denty took over the shop in 1995.
She was warned at the time that the shop was so far out of the town centre that it was bound to fail, but that just made her even more determined to make a success of it.
Like many small businesses, it faced severe challenges during Covid lockdowns, but when restrictions were finally lifted, the queue for a proper haircut to correct ‘lockdown styles’ stretched down the High Street.
Pictured around 1900, Sandie’s barbershop used to be a grocery and fruiterer
“We wish Sandie’s every success”
The new landlord, who asked not to be named, said:
“The rent discussed reflects a move from a historically very low figure to one closer to current market value.
“Somerleigh House is a beautiful listed building, full of character and charm.
“We took professional advice and made genuine efforts to see whether a lower figure could be sustained, but unfortunately it was not financially viable.
“We wish Sandie’s every success for the future.”
As a listed building and one of the last original shops in the area, it is unlikely planning permission will be granted to change the use from retail to domestic living accommodation, so it is likely to remain empty unless a new commercial tenant is found.
Further information
- Closure details are on Sandie’s Facebook page
