A BARBER who has watched his customers go through every stage of life is celebrating 50 years in business.

Costakis Costa, 54, has worked in Mario’s Gents’ Hairdressing Salon in Leytonstone High Road for the past 37 years.

The salon was opened in 1967 by his father Marios, who had moved from Cyprus. Mr Costa began as an apprentice aged 17 and took over the business in 2010 after his 72-year-old father retired.

Mr Costa said: “I get a lot of men bringing in their sons for haircuts and I remember cutting their hair when they were the same age. There are some families with four generations coming to me.

“I didn’t really understand the relationship between my customers and myself when I was younger but now I do and it’s quite amazing.

“People come in and sit down and you carry on the conversation you’ve been having with them for the past weeks, months and years.

“Down through the years guys would come in the morning of their wedding and have a shave and a haircut. They’d sit on the chair and I’d say to them if you can be half as lucky as I am with my relationship with my wife you will do well.”

The father-of-two, who is married to Lisa, 50, has spent the years watching history unfolding on his TV screen with his customers.

He has also seen Leytonstone go through transformations, with new shops opening and different cultures moving in.

A mix of locals and celebrities have sat in Mr Costa’s chair, including Andy Polaris’, lead singer in Animal Nightlife. The barber cut his hair before he appeared on Top of the Pops in the ‘80s.

He said: “I remember the day of 9/11. It was a sombre day. We all watched it on TV and there were even people walking in off the street shocked and just sitting down to watch it unfold.

“And I remember the day of Live Aid in 1985. All the customers were watching it as it was the first big charity concert.

“Everything changes and it has its ups and downs but people don’t change. You get different cultures and I think Leytonstone has always been a good area.”

Mr Costa said he has no doubt the secret to a successful business is keeping your customers happy with a welcoming smile and a positive attitude.

He added: “I always say I have two families. I have my wife and kids at home and then I have my customers.

“No matter what’s going on behind the scene you put on a smile and welcome the customers.

“I must be doing something that keeps them coming back.”