THE owner of a barber shop in Pudsey says they may not be able to reopen for up to six months after a car smashed through the front of the shop.

A black Audi A4 smashed through the front of Philip Nicholas barbers and Creating Utopia tattoo studio in Bradford Road, Pudsey, after driving down Richardshaw Lane.

Dwayne O'Brien, 27, of Waterloo Grove, Pudsey, was charged with two counts of resisting a police constable in the execution of their duty on June 17.

He was given police bail in relation to dangerous driving and failing to provide a specimen. He appeared before Leeds Magistrates' Court earlier this month. 

Phil Townend, who runs Philip Nicholas, tweeted an update this morning, saying they may not be able to reopen the barber shop for up to six months due to the time it will take to assess the damage and complete the rebuilding process.

He said: “We have been informed that we may not be able to re-occupy the barbershop for up to six months.

“This is due to the amount of time it takes to assess the damage, design the rebuilding, get tenders in, etc, etc before any rebuilding actually begins. There is also a shortage of building materials, especially glass."

However, in the meantime, the business will continue at other locations.

Philip Nicholas staff members will be working at Bella Bonce on Richardshaw Lane and The End Barbers, Bramley, this week.

Mr Townend added that he will spend this week arranging the move to the firm’s new temporary home at Madison Offices. However, a small number of prior appointments will be honoured and will be at Bella Bonce on Richardshaw Lane.

All of Philip Nicholas’ appointments from Monday, July 5 to be at Madison Offices, Richardshaw Road, until they are able to re-occupy our usual premises.

A JustGiving campaign has also been set up to support the barbers and tattoo studio in getting their premises fixed and back up and running.

The £2,000 target was already been surpassed in less than 24 hours.