Coke; Hoover; And A Ben Mackenzie

When do you know you've really made it as a businessman? 

In the days leading up to the start of school in August and the end of the school summer holidays my brother Iain and I, like the Hanlons at 6/7 Oxgangs Avenue and dozens of other little boys would be taken up the hill (Oxgangs Street) to Ben Mackenzie's to get our hair cut to look smart for our return to school for the start of another school year. Despite some of the images produced over the years by artists I enjoyed the whole experience.

Ben Mackenzie's Hairdresser Shop at the rear of Oxgangs Broadway; photograph Mr Craigie

Ben's shop was located at the back of the Oxgangs Broadway shops on the south facing side. It was the furthest away shop from The Stair. 

Ben was a great advert for his business; he was neat, immaculate and dapper, with brylcreamed grey hair and a little moustache; indeed he was a walking advertisement for his profession.

We usually had to sit in a queue in his shop but there were always decent comics to sit and read. Also older men would pull your leg whilst chatting up the mothers; we always went along with Mother. When the great moment arrived to have your hair cut, because we were small we had to sit on this little cross bench which was laid across the arm rests of the barber's chair which I thought was pretty cool.

Ben was never this bad, but the barber bears more than a passing resemblance to him!

Ben would set to work and the haircut was always finished off with some 'jungle juice' which he plastered your hair down with; as I had wavy hair I liked the flattening effect and regretted it never stayed that way for long.

We were never allowed number ones which the Hanlons got. The only way we ever got a number one was when Iain and I administered haircuts at home one day when my mother was out at work!

Anyway, when you returned to school after the summer holidays, the opening remarks or soubriquet from your pals was, 'Aye Peter, ah see you've had a Ben Mackenzie!'

When you're name becomes a trademark, that's when you've really made it in business!