An entrepreneur from Ash has transformed a former 17-seater cadet mini bus into his very own barber shop.

Anton Antoni, of Goldstone Drove in the village, set up his Barber Bus business in mid-June. So far, it has been a great success.

The bus’s interior has a smart vintage style, with swing jazz music entertaining customers as they have their hair cut.

Anton, who caters for all ages. said: “I worked in shops for quite a few years and I wanted something a bit more flexible really.

“There’s so many barber shops opening now, but to be flexible you need to go to where people need you.

“I thought of the idea when I was about 16 when I first started barbering and it’s taken me 10 years to do it.”

Anton, 26, now has four children with his wife Marion, also 26, and the new venture has meant he can spend more time with the family.

This has been particularly important over the past few months when just a week after the birth of four-month-old baby Boe, his wife was rushed to hospital with a blood clot. She spent two months in hospital.

This meant Anton was needed to look after his other children, India, 6, Jude, 4, and River, 2.

He said: “We got through it. My customers were very good. They waited for me to cut their hair, they didn’t go elsewhere.”

Anton has previously worked in barbers in Hastings, Spain, Ashford and Deal, and started a whole new customer base when he began his solo venture. He said building up contacts and customers was something he was very proud of.

The Barber Bus is based at Westwood Cross near Marks and Spencer every Friday, and at Goldstone Drove farm in Ash every Saturday. Customers must book in advance.

Anton also provides a mobile service for families in Deal, but hopes to soon have a permanent place to park up and cut hair one day a week in the town.

Converting the minibus into a barber shop has been a huge project and taken a lot of time and money.

He said: “I fully converted the bus myself with a little bit of help from friends and family.

“Everything in the bus is individual, I hand-picked it and travelled miles for certain items.

“I wanted it to be a traditional barber’s. There’s a lot of modern ones but I wanted mine to feel like a traditional barber’s with a nice atmosphere.”

He said customers love how unique the bus is, and he has had great feedback so far.

To contact Anton or book an appointment, call 07738689694, or search for Anton Antoni Barber Bus on Facebook.