Legendary Sheffield barber and ‘icon’ of city nightclub scene dies aged 70

Andrew Wilkinson, who owned The Cutting Crew barbers shop and ladies salon on London Road in Highfield, died in Wood Hill Lodge care home on Thursday morning after a long illness.

Andrew ran The Cutting Crew for the last 38 years after training there as a 16-year-old under former owner Eric Hadfield in the 1960s, and at one point had five different salons in the region.

But he was also a well-known figure around town for his sartorial elegance, modeling his look on Barry Gibb from the Bee Gees in the 70s and 80s and later resembling German fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld.

Kathy Chisholm, who worked with Andrew at Cutting Crew for 36 years, announced the sad news of her long-time boss’ death on Facebook yesterday.

She said he had been ill for some time after having a stroke which confined him to a wheelchair, but that he would be fondly remembered by many in the city as a ‘legend’ at famous Sheffield nightspot Josephine’s.

“I suppose I was in denial,” Kathy said.

“I thought he would keep walking through the door forever - but he is at peace now.”

Andrew set up The Cutting Crew in 1982 and employed Kathy in 1984, with another stylist Marie Jacques joining a few years later.

Kathy said the shop - which dates back to 1880 and is thought to be the oldest in Sheffield - still get customers who have been going in their entire lives, some of whom are 100 years old.

Andrew leaves three sons - Matthew, Jonathan and Edward - three grandsons and his former wife Janet with whom he remained good friends.

After his death, his sons informed Kathy that it was Andrew’s wish for her to carry on the business after he was gone.

“He said he wanted to leave it to me as I had always been there for him as a member of staff and as a friend,” she said.

“I just hope I can do him proud.”

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