Murdock

Years ahead of the transatlantic cultural beard expansion, former City gent and restaurateur Brendan Murdock set up shop — a neo-retro barbershp — in east London's Old Street, inspired by "the masculine luxury of the capital's Victorian male grooming establishments". That was 2006. Three years later he opened this golden-glow outlet in Covent Garden, immediately opposite the Monmouth Coffee House [see entry] and just minutes from Soho. The full whack of head treatment is on offer here, in classic style, while shelves are stocked with Murdock's extensive selection of house-brand hair and skin care products, tools and accessories. Murdock has since sold the business. Other outlets include Soho (83 Brewer St) and Shoreditch (46 Redchurch St), plus New Yorks' Manhattan.