A hip-hop barbershop is opening Macclesfield.

Aspiring musician Jake Dean is gearing up to open his own barbershop at Dukes Court.

Project Seven will not just be somewhere to get a haircut, but a community hub that promotes local artists.

Jake said: "The goal is to create a space that's not just about haircuts but also about connecting with people who share the same love for the culture.

"It's a place where you can get a fresh trim while vibing to classic tracks and soaking in the hip-hop atmosphere."

The 24-year-old added: "The appearance of the shop will have that street-style edge—think of the feeling you get at a local skatepark or walking down a side road in Manchester city centre.

"It'll be a bit rough around the edges, but that's what makes it authentic. It's not about being pristine; it's about being alive with personality and creativity.

"The atmosphere will be high-energy from the moment you walk in.

"It's not just about getting a haircut; it's about enjoying the experience and feeling like you're part of a community."

Project Seven officially opens on February 1 (Credit: Jake Dean)

Around three years ago Jake, from New Mills, signed up for a Level 2 barbering course at Evolve Academy in Manchester's Northern Quarter.

Upon finishing the course, he landed a job at KVLT Hair in Buxton.

It was there that he first came up with the idea for Project Seven.

Jake said: "KVLT is such a unique and mental place—it's not just a barbershop; it's a vibe.

"Seeing how the owner Ben created something so different really opened my eyes to the fact that there's a niche for everything if you're passionate about it.

"That got me thinking, 'Why not create something that combines two of the things I love most – barbering and hip-hop?'"

Jakes says he was inspired by his former boss to open Project Seven (Credit: Jake Dean)

When it comes to music, Jake's journey began at 13 when he started learning to play the drums.

Having struggled to find a band, Jake eventually decided to go solo and taught himself how to make beats and produce music.

He said: "Since then, I've been working non-stop on my music, developing my own sound, and balancing it with barbering. It's been a journey, but I love the mix of creativity in both."

Jake is inspired by artists such as Wu-Tang Clan, Big L, Nas, and ODB, but is also a big fan of bands like Limp Bizkit, Korn, Whitechapel, and Chelsea Grin.

Project Seven will have a curated playlist featuring local artists across a range of genres.

"By playing their music directly in the shop, I can help introduce their sound to the local community," Jake said.

"It's a win-win – it promotes fresh music to the people who walk through the door, and it gives local artists the exposure they deserve."

Jake is also planning an 'In the Chair' video series where he invites artists to perform in the shop before moving into an informal interview while he cuts their hair.

He said: "It'll be relaxed, fun, and a great way to get to know the person behind the music – their inspirations, their journey, and what they're all about."

The barbershop will have a curated playlist featuring local artists (Credit: Jake Dean)

The official opening day for Project Seven is Saturday, February 1.

To celebrate, Jake will be giving out vouchers for free haircuts and has partnered with Pink Winnings for a competition where the prize will be six months of unlimited haircuts.

Initially, Project Seven will open from 10am to 7pm on Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday, with these hours likely to change as the business grows.

Jake will be handing out free haircut vouchers on the opening day (Credit: Jake Dean)