A BARBER shop owner who installed a security shutter on the advice of police after a series of attacks says he may have to relocate from Prestonpans after he was ordered to remove it by planning officials.

Alan Mulholland spent more than £5,000 putting in the shutter at the Prestonpans branch of his Eskquire barber shops after they were targeted by vandals last year.

East Lothian Courier: Alan Mulholland, barber shop owner

But when he applied for listed building consent for the change to the building, which is Category-C listed, officials ruled the pale grey shutters were “harmful” to its historic character.

However, they did approve a separate application to be allowed to display the barber shop logo on the front of the shutter.

Now, the shop owner has appealed to Scottish Ministers to overturn East Lothian Council’s decision and allow him to keep the security shutter, warning that forcing him to remove it could jeopardise his ability to keep the branch open.

Mr Mulholland, who also has a shop in Musselburgh, said that both sites were damaged by vandalism in January last year in what police confirmed was a “targeted attack”.

East Lothian Courier: Damage caused to Eskquire Barbers, Prestonpans

At the time, he was advised by a Prestonpans community police officer to install the full-length shutter, which is similar to ones used by other business premises in Prestonpans.

East Lothian Council planners had suggested that an alternative grid or mesh which could be removed each day would be preferable.

However, in a letter from Police Constable Walker Nixon, crime prevention officer, lodged as part of the appeal, he confirmed he advised the shutter, telling Mr Mulholland: “Due to the previous attacks on your business, the removal of the external shuttering would leave your business vulnerable to further attacks, as in my opinion an external mesh, safety glass or internal shuttering would not provide adequate protection.”

PC Nixon also states in an email that incidents of vandalism on Prestonpans High Street, where the barber shop is based, are high.

Writing in November, he repeated his advice, adding: “In the past six months, there have been 15 reported vandalisms in the Prestonpans area.

“The vandalisms tend to be at the central (High Street) locations where people congregate.

“In light of the fact your business has been the victim of crime in a targeted attack, and from a crime prevention perspective, I indeed recommend that external shutters are necessary as a preventative measure to reduce the risk of any further attacks.”

East Lothian Courier: Eskquire Barbers Shop has been targetd by vandals in the past

Mr Mulholland said: “I put the shutter in after advice from police and spent around £5,000 installing it and making it look good with the logo on the front.

“When I was told I needed planning and listed building consent, I applied and thought it would be straightforward.

“To refuse because it is a C-listed building might have been understandable in the past but nowadays we have to adapt to the issues we face and I can’t afford to keep replacing windows.

“It is not just the damage that can be caused, it is the disruption to business. In these difficult times, we should be doing all we can to support small businesses, not creating obstacles.”

Mr Mulholland, who took over the shop two and a half years ago, said: “Spending £5,000 on the shutter for a small business during the pandemic was a big decision and if I have to take it down I will have to reconsider my business in Prestonpans and look for another location, which would be a shame.”

The appeal is with the Scottish Reporter, who is due to visit the shop site.