Wakefield dog groomer inundated with requests for human hair cuts

Corey Lockwood, 26, gave fellow worker Jasmine Brooke a tidy-up after she struggled to get a post-lockdown salon appointment.

Corey, a top trainer at Jollyes’ pamper and grooming spas, has developed a cult following on social media and his team carry out between 100-120 dog styling appointments each week.

Since lockdown restrictions were lifted, regular customers have asked if he could recreate his magic on their hair and carry out a short back and sides as their pooch gets a makeover.

While he has so far resisted chopping into clients’ barnets, he has given Jasmine’s fringe a trim - and she was so happy with the result she has already asked him to do it again.

Corey, who taught himself how to cut human hair by watching YouTube videos, said: "The phone’s been ringing off the hook since lockdown ended.

"We’re back-to-back with dog grooming appointments but it’s clear their owners are struggling to get their own hair chopped.

"To be honest, every owner who comes in is asking for their own haircut.

“I cut my brother's hair during lockdown because we live together and one of the girls from work asked me when we returned if I could trim her fringe and shave the sides of her hair.

“She couldn’t get an appointment in her salon for about six weeks after lockdown and to be fair, she was happy with it and said she will get me to do it again to save some money.”

Corey, dubbed the Nicky Clarke of the M62, has customers from as far as Manchester to visit the spa in Wakefield

He said he loves the challenge of an owner who wants a specific cut for their dog and has created a Mohican for a Terrier-Cross and an afro on a Cockapoo.

The average time Corey and his team spend with a dog is around 90 minutes to two hours.

But when grooming for shows such as Crufts, he can spend anything up to three hours getting the dog looking pooch-perfect.

However, he said he prefers that to the pressure of cutting human hair, adding: “It’s much easier cutting girls' hair to be honest, as men’s hair has a lot more detail with the blending and shaving, but I will stick to dog grooming in future I think.

“Some owners have tried to get scissor-happy themselves during lockdown but secretly they know there’s no substitute for a professional.

“We can see that loads of people have got a dog for the first time during lockdown which means we’re now offering advice to new dog owners as to how to really maintain healthy grooming habits.”

Jasmine said: “I was so happy with Corey’s cut. I have managed to get booked in at my salon for a full cut and colour, but in between appointments I’ll definitely ask Corey to give me a little trim again.”