A popular barber whose business of 41 years became a social club for the community is to retire.  

Max Jaffe, of Mr Max Barbers in Newbury Road, Highams Park, is to close the shop at the end of the month, but will continue as a mobile barber. 

When he opened the business on the corner of Haldan Road, it was one of a dozen shops between Cavendish Road and Winchester Road.   

Mr Jaffe has outlasted businesses including greengrocers, sweet shops and butchers to be the only shop still open in the street. 

The father-of-one followed his mother into hairdressing as an apprentice in Neasden aged 15, before moving to Highams Park with his wife Barbara, 66, in 1974. 

With little passing trade, the key to his success has been word of mouth and the "social club" atmosphere of the shop.   

Mr Jaffe said: "I believe Mr Max is the second oldest business to stay in one place in Highams Park.

"My customers come here for the banter, not the haircuts. 

"They treat it like a social club.  

"For many, it is the only place they can sit down and relax and tell a barber their secrets. 

"Even now I have customers of 60 years that came here when it was Les Cook's Barbers in the 50s"

"I find men are more loyal when woman when it comes to hair.

"A gentleman will only go to another barber if they move away or a barber dies."

Tina Woods, 38, of Winchester Road, was Mr Jaffe's first ever Saturday girl and worked at the barber's from the age of 13.   

She said: "Everyone will be so sorry to see him go, he is part of the community. 

"It marks an end of an era, an end to everyone walking past in the morning and waving to Max.

"We'll be lost without him."

Douglas Parrock, of Coolgardie Avenue, has been visiting the barbers for 41 years. 

"My son was in a wheelchair so Max used to come to my house," he said. 

"I came here because Max used to cut my father-in-law's hair.

"Three generations of my family have been coming to this barber's, it will be a shame when he goes."

Mr Jaffe said he was "humbled" and "slightly embarrassed" by all the goodwill messages he has received in recent weeks. 

"41 years in long enough- there is more to life than work," he added.

He plans to spend his retirement playing more golf, going away for long weekends with his wife and travelling to America to vist his daughter, Rachel.  

The new owner has kept the name Mr Max and it will become a pet supplies shop from July. 

The Highams Park Society is holding a farewell party at the barbers on June 27, from 3pm to 5pm.