Sheldon Morton Hickey is known as the owner of Blackbird Barbers located on Chalcot Road. He has a wealth of experience being a barber and managing barber shops across London. Luckily enough for the community he has now found his way over to Primrose Hill. What is distinctive about the interior of Blackbird Barbers is that its walls have film and comic book posters on them. Which I am sure that any customer who comes into the shop would enjoy relating to them.
1. What made you decide to setup Blackbird Barbers?
I’d been cutting hair for over 10 years and managing shops across London when the opportunity came to open my own, and I jumped at the chance. My first shop was in Shoreditch, but when the opportunity came up to take over a space in Primrose Hill, I couldn’t resist. It’s an area I’ve always loved, and it felt like the perfect spot to build something special. I knew it wouldn’t be easy at the start, but I was confident it would be worth it — and it absolutely has been.
2. How was Blackbird Barbers first established?
The name comes from The Beatles’ song Blackbird — one of my late father’s and my own favourites — so it felt right to carry that with me. The shop itself was already a barbers, but it hadn’t really taken off. The previous owner wasn’t a barber – I could see the potential, and with my background I knew I could make it work — especially with the right team. I’ve been lucky to have just that, with Emma and her four-legged sidekick Joey becoming part of the shop’s character. Six years on, I still feel grateful every day for the brilliant customers, the team, and the atmosphere we’ve built together.
3. What is Blackbird Barber’s unique selling point?
For us, it’s never just about the haircut — it’s about the experience. We want Blackbird to be a place where people can pause for a while, whether that means having a chat, switching off in silence, or getting some “furry therapy” from Joey. It’s a little retreat from the everyday: you leave with a fresh cut, but also feeling lighter, more relaxed, and ready to take on whatever’s next. Life isn’t always easy, so if we can make those 30–45 minutes count, we will.
4. What do you enjoy the most about being the owner of Blackbird Barbers?
For me, it’s the sense of building something day by day and seeing the shop become part of the fabric of Primrose Hill. I love the community here — cycling home and waving to clients, stopping for a chat about the football with someone I gave a haircut to just a few days before. It’s those small, everyday moments that make me grateful to be here and proud to have built this business.
5. What do you find the hardest about being the owner of Blackbird Barbers?
The biggest challenge is balancing work and home life. I’m a bit of a workaholic and spend six days a week in the shop — but I genuinely love cutting hair, the clients, and the area, so it never feels like a grind. Like most barbers, finding that balance is always a work in progress, but overall, I feel lucky to do a job I really enjoy.
6. What made you decide to choose Primrose Hill as the location for Blackbird Barbers?
At first, I thought about Camden Town — it’s always held a special place in my heart. As a teenager into rock and alternative music, I loved the energy and culture there. But over time I wanted something a little calmer, and Primrose Hill felt right. I’d spent plenty of days here with friends, grabbing a meal deal and sitting on the hill, and even had one of my first dates with my wife here, watching the sunset. So when the chance came to open a shop in the area, it felt perfect — a relaxed, family-oriented neighbourhood where I could build the kind of village barbershop my late father once dreamed of. And honestly, I couldn’t be happier; I love the people here and the community we’ve become part of.
7. What have been the highlights of Blackbird Barbers since it first opened in Primrose Hill?
There are a couple that stand out. Surviving the Covid shutdown and reopening to a wave of new, supportive clients was a huge one. And of course, having Joey the dog join the team — he definitely pulls his weight as our chief greeter!
8. How does Blackbird Barbers benefit from being in Primrose Hill?
Primrose Hill has such a close-knit, village feel, surrounded by fantastic people and families. One of the most rewarding parts of being here is the continuity — cutting a boy’s hair when he’s little, then seeing him grow up, become a young man, and head off to university. That kind of journey is something you rarely experience in city shops, and it makes being here really special.
9. What challenges does Blackbird Barbers face?
Like many small businesses, we’ve felt the impact of the cost of living crisis and rising overheads. It hasn’t been easy, but we’re determined to keep moving forward — and I’m confident Blackbird will be part of the community for many years to come.
10. Which of your services is the most popular?
Our most popular service is the Blackbird Cut — a classic clipper cut on the sides (0.5 and up) with scissors on top. Simple, clean, and always sharp – but we’re always game to try something new or challenging!
11. What are your future plans for Blackbird Barbers and which direction do you think that it will be going in the future?
Looking ahead, I’d like to give the shop a full revamp and eventually expand into the downstairs space to create more room. The goal is to grow with the right people — adding new, friendly faces to the team while keeping the same welcoming atmosphere our clients know us for.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT BLACKBIRD BARBERS HERE
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