GUILDFORD — A barber in Surrey is giving children free back-to-school haircuts this Sunday, alongside stationery and other school essentials, in a bid to help families facing higher everyday costs. Sid Gumbrell, who runs Clean Cuts Barber Shop in Guildford, is hosting the event from 09:00 BST until 17:00.
Children attending will also be able to collect free stationery, pencil cases and water bottles. Mr Gumbrell said he understood the pressure many families are under as the cost of uniforms, shoes and haircuts continues to add up.
He said the aim was to remove at least one expense for parents while creating an event where children could come together before the new school term begins.
Barber says the idea is to ease household pressure
Mr Gumbrell said the event was born out of his awareness of how expensive it can be to prepare children for school. He pointed specifically to the cost of uniforms, shoes and haircuts, saying that even smaller items can build into a major bill for families.
The free cuts are being offered as a practical way to take one cost off the table. The event is also intended to give children a chance to meet up and share in a community setting rather than simply collect supplies.
That combination of practical help and social support is central to the day, with the barber framing it as a response to the pressures of the current cost of living.
Stationery, pencil cases and water bottles will also be handed out
Alongside haircuts, children will be able to take away a range of donated school items. These include stationery, pencil cases and water bottles, all of which are often needed in the run-up to the start of term.
The giveaway is designed to complement the haircut service rather than replace wider support, with the focus on providing useful items that can help families get organised for school. For many households, the cost of even basic supplies can come alongside uniform, footwear and transport expenses.
By combining several essentials in one place, the event aims to make the back-to-school period a little easier for local parents and carers.
Tesco and Krispy Kreme have backed the event with donations
The day is being supported by Tesco and Krispy Kreme, both of which have donated towards the event. Their backing has helped make the free giveaway possible and adds to the local effort around the school holidays.
The support from the two companies sits alongside the barber’s own contribution through the shop and his time. Together, those donations are being used to provide a simple form of help at a point in the year when many families are looking to manage rising costs.
Mr Gumbrell’s event is scheduled to run for a single day only, with families able to attend between 09:00 BST and 17:00 on Sunday.
Guildford event reflects wider pressure on families before term starts
The timing of the event reflects the broader strain many households feel ahead of the school year. Back-to-school spending often includes several separate purchases at once, from clothing and shoes to haircut appointments and stationery.
In Guildford, the free offer is aimed at reducing that pressure in a visible, community-based way. While the event is local, the message behind it is likely to resonate with parents and carers across Surrey who are trying to manage the same seasonal costs.
For Mr Gumbrell, the point is not only to save money for families, but also to create a welcoming day for children before they return to class.
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