A BARBER has been ordered to shut his East Oxford salon because too many people are parking outside to get haircuts.

Akmal Hairdresser’s has attracted hundreds of customers a week since it opened about 10 years ago.

But now, following the salon’s move from a unit behind the Istanbul takeaway in Cowley Road, to a converted garage in Leopold Street, Oxford City Council has ordered the salon to close.

It said the owner did not get permission and the salon had led to a shortage of parking, with motorists forced to drive on the pavement to get down the narrow street.

However, salon owner Mallik Akmal said most of his customers walked to the shop He said: “I would be devastated if we had to close and I know a lot of my customers would be very upset.

“We have customers from a lot of different backgrounds.

“But for many in the Asian community who can’t speak English this is the only place they feel comfortable coming, especially the older generation.

“Most, if not all, of my customers come from the Cowley Road area and don’t drive here, so if there is a parking problem it is not my customers.”

Mr Akmal said a wide range of people came to the hairdressers because of its good value, but they were predominantly pensioners, who benefit from a discounted £5 hair cut, and Asian men.

The salon also regularly lays on special ladies-only afternoons when the shop is open solely to women.

City council spokesman Louisa Dean confirmed an enforcement notice had been sent to Mr Akmal and he had been given six months to close.

Ms Dean said: “If people decide to change the use of buildings without gaining full planning permission then the local authority must address the issue.

“In this case the council found that the change of use was unacceptable due to the lack of parking for the existing houses and for the new hairdressing business.

“We have subsequently acted and used our power to serve an enforcement notice.”

She added Mr Akmal had appealed against the notice, ordering him to cease trading at the unit and to remove all fittings.