A community has come together to say goodbye to a popular barber and his business of 41 years by hosting a farewell party.
Over 120 people gathered at Mr Max Barbers in Newbury Road, Highams Park on Saturday (June 27) to give Max Jaffe a "brilliant" send off on his last day at the shop on the corner of Haldan Road.
The party was organised by the Highams Park Society (HPS) and was attended by society members, shop neighbours, and past and present clients.
Chairman of the society, Sandeep Christian presented Mr Jaffe, 70, with a painting of the shop commissioned by the group, and historic photographs dating back to the late 19th century.
Cakes were made and drinks were poured as people congratulated Max and celebrated his decades of service with a book of good wishes.
His shop was one of 12 in the street when he moved to Highams Park with his wife Barbara, 66, in 1974. .
But after 41 years and thousands of haircuts, he outlasted every business including greengrocers, sweet shops and butchers to be the only surviving shop still open.
With little passing trade, he said his key to success has been word of mouth and the "social club" atmosphere of the shop, where "customers come for the banter, not the haircuts."
Mr Sandeep, said: "When the Highams Park Society found out that Max was going to retire after 41 years’ service to the local community, we wanted to mark the occasion.
"Local people made cakes to celebrate and up to 120 people came out to wish Max farewell.
"We presented Max with a painting drawn in the form of a cartoon of him and the shop and also two 1890s photographs of the shop."
People gather to celebrate Max Jaffe's retirement from Mr Max Barbers
Conservative Hale End and Highams Park councillor Sheree Rackham attended on Saturday to support Mr Jaffe and the HPS.
She said: "We would like to wish Max a happy retirement.
"He had a lovely, successful business in Highams Park and worked very hard in the area.
"He is a charming man and it is very sad to lose him."
Mr Jaffe said he is "forever grateful" for Saturday's event, adding: "It was brilliant.
"I was overwhelmed.
"I am forever grateful to the Highams Park Society and I can't thank them enough.
"The number of people that turned up was amazing and I love what they presented me with.
"The book was completely full.
"I was not expecting this as I'm not one for a fuss."
Mr Jaffe will continue as a mobile barber and his shop will open as a pet supply store next month.
He plans to spend his retirement playing more golf, going away for long weekends and travelling to America to visit his daughter.
Pat Hills from the HPS signs a book of good wishes for Mr Jaffe
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