A WORKINGTON woman is aiming to ‘keep tradition alive’ as she opens a new barber shop in the town.

42-year-old Izabela Konopka has opened the new Senhouse Barbers, on Senhouse Street.

The shop was home to barber Eric Hodgson for 40 years, and was most recently home to food store Health Cuisine until they vacated the unit earlier this year.

Iza trained as a barber in Poland when she was 15, before she moved to Workington over 20 years ago.

She has worked as a barber for nearly 10 years based out of the Guise Barber Shop in Whitehaven, with Sarah Harrington.

Times and Star: A look inside the new Senhouse Barbers.A look inside the new Senhouse Barbers. (Image: NQ staff)

Talking about why she opened the new shop, she said: “I’ve had long standing ambitions to own my own barbers and it feels good to provide a service to my local community, so I thought it’s now or never.

“I trained as barber back in Poland when I was 15 years old. The opportunity arose to rent 16 Senhouse Street Workington where there’s been a barber for over 40 years, owned then by Mr Eric Hodgson.

"I wanted to keep the tradition going of there being a barber shop.”

Iza opened up in the new shop last Wednesday, August 30 and is already pleased with the way that business is going.

She said: “It’s been really good since I first opened the door last week... there’s been a steady flow of customers both old and new.

“It’s nice to see past customers supporting my new venture as well as welcoming new customers. Barbering is on the rise and providing high quality service to the men in town is what I want to maintain doing.

Iza has thanked her family and friends for their unwavering support in her new venture. She said: “They're always one step behind, supporting me.”

The barber’s shop on Senhouse Street has free one hour parking outside, with walk-ins and appointments both welcome.

To find out more about Senhouse Barbers or book and appointment you can visit their Facebook page.