Buzz cut: P.E.I. barber wants to serve customers booze

A barber who has been trying to get a liquor licence for two years says the province shouldn't worry about his customers leaving half cut.

Owner of Humble Barber frustrated by inability to get liquor licence

Shane Ross · CBC News · Posted: Nov 24, 2016 6:41 PM EST | Last Updated: November 25, 2016

Sean Aylward, owner of The Humble Barber in Charlottetown and Summerside, says if spas and salons can get a liquor licence, so should his barbershop. (Natalia Goodwin/CBC)

A barber who has been trying to get a liquor licence for two years says the province shouldn't worry about his customers leaving half cut.

Sean Aylward, owner of The Humble Barber in Charlottetown and Summerside, says he can't understand why he's being denied, especially when salons and spas are allowed to serve drinks.

"My customers are only here for half an hour at a time, there's not really a whole lot of opportunity for someone to sit down and have a whole bunch of drinks," he said.

Classified as salon

In the June, 2016, version of the P.E.I. Liquor Control Commission Licensee Policy Manuel, a barbershop is classified as a salon.

The section of the June, 2016, P.E.I. Liquor Control Commission Licensee Policy that deals with salons and spas, which also includes barbershops. The section was removed when the manual was revised in September. (P.E.I. Liquor Control Commission Licensee Policy)

It also said salons qualify for a Special Premises Liquor Licence if they offer, as their primary business, "esthetic services, such as haircuts, hair colouring, and makeup application."

Aylward said when he first read the rules, he thought it meant if he gave haircuts, he cut could get a liquor licence.

I'm just looking to add extra value to my customers, help generate more income, allow myself to hire more employees.– Sean Aylward

But the liquor commission revised the policy manual in September, and removed the section relating to spas, salons and barbershops.

However, Carl Adams, CFO of the liquor commission, said in an email the licensee policy manual is "an evolving document" and the commission "will bring the manual forward at its next monthly meeting in December to consider this potential licensing area."

Young entrepreneur

Aylward said the province should be doing more to help young entrepreneurs succeed.

"I'm just looking to add extra value to my customers, help generate more income, allow myself to hire more employees."

The liquor commission said it has been working with the The Humble Barber on its request for a liquor licence.

"The commission is committed to promoting the responsible sale of alcohol in the province and, at the same time, giving back to the communities that we serve," Adams said. "We will consider these objectives in addition to the information that the applicant has shared with us."