THE co-owner of Taylor Made Men’s Grooming is the first in the UK to be given a plaque recognis-ing him as a master barber craftsman.

The accolade was presented to Mike Taylor by The Hairdressing Council, which has the backing of the Government.

Mike, who runs the Top of The Town barber shop in London Street, with Hannah Wilcox, has been in the industry for 23 years and has been teaching and assessing barbering for a decade.

Delighted with the award, Mike said: “This is a massive honour and it means everything to me to be the first person in the UK to be awarded this important honour.”

Mike, who also has a training academy in Poole called Master Barber, added: “It’s something my grandchildren, when I have them, will be proud of.”

Mike is on a mission to raise standards in the industry, and trains people from all over the country through private and government-funded courses.

“My passion is education in barbering and I have been educating in my craft for over 10 years now at the highest level,” said Mike, who is a founder of the British Barbers Association, which he has been heading for four years.

He added: “I have been recognised for my years of service and teaching, but more importantly it will be helping to raise barbering standards.”