Two barbers at work at Room 57

Date:: 10 Mar 2023

Location:: Room 57, 57 Bridge Street Row East, Chester, Cheshire West and Chester

Reference:: HEC01/128/01/06/01/04

Type:: Photograph (Digital)

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Description

In 2022-23 Historic England commissioned several photographers to work with local communities to capture images representative of their local high streets. This formed part of the Picturing High Streets project. In Chester, Suzanne St Clare was commissioned as photographer. She wrote the following text to describe her work on the project: “My response to the residency was to work creatively with business owners trading on the historical Rows in Chester.

Initially we started by finding out about how these business owners came to Chester, their community, challenges, the quirkiness of independent trading and their love and passion for this beautiful, historic city...." Three sets of images were created as a result of the residency. Suzanne St Clare wrote the following text about this set: "In the second year, we took inspiration from photographers such as Gregory Crewdson and Julia Fullerton-Batten, who are known for their cinematic style and use of studio lights. Together we created a series of images that document the characters who make up the shops on the Rows. Most of those who took part would often speak of their dissatisfaction relating to what they felt was a lack of support, and how powerless they felt to be able to trade profitably. Yet they were the captains of their business, and from the outside what could look like positions of power. The intention of these images was to portray the traders in a way that acknowledged that status, where they looked powerful and showed the beauty of the Rows retail space and the detail of their surroundings in a positive and authentic way." The photographer wrote the following text about this image: "Matt Ogden, owner in background, Daniel Murray in foreground, green hair. Both cutting and shaving hair, customer, Ryan Jones in foreground.

[Matt says:] 'I started working at Room 57 in April 2021 and ended up buying the business 8 months later from the franchise, Mr Barbers. I had always fancied working in Chester because it is such a beautiful city.

I didn’t go into hairdressing straight from school but instead did an apprenticeship in welding and fabrication. I sort of just fell into as I was young and liked hanging out with my friends and having a bit of money, but I’d always been creative at school, and I liked art and drawing. Being a barber had always been in the back of my mind though, so I went to college and have not stopped working since.

Room 57 is a completely independent business. It is a lovely place to work, like home from home. All the clients are friendly and there is always something going on near the Rows, whether it is a parade or the kids chanting on the Roman walk. There is a nice easy, chilled vibe here and it is good to hear people talking and not have music blaring out. Everyone is welcome, seniors, children and we offer modern and classic cuts.

I love working in Chester and hope in the future independent shops are supported and encouraged. My life is my work, my kids and of course, my wife!'" Since this commission, the Rows Capital Improvements project has enhanced more than 100 properties associated with the Rows to improve access and footfall as part of the High Street Heritage Action Zones Programme. This has included improvements to the lighting, paintwork, balustrading and stall boards, investment in marketing the Rows as well as tours and other activities, and the production of a Business Guide aimed at local traders.

'Picturing England's High Streets' commision by Open Eye Gallery, Historic England and Photoworks.

Content

This is part of the Job: HEC01/128/01/06/01 Picturing High Streets Photographer Residencies - Suzanne St Clare: Chester, Portraits of Traders; within the Volume: HEC01/128/01/06 Picturing High Streets Photographer Residencies - Suzanne St Clare: Chester; within the Sub Series: HEC01/128/01 Picturing High Streets: Photographer Residencies; within the Series: HEC01/128 Picturing High Streets; within the Collection: HEC01 Historic England

Two barbers at work at Room 57

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