Refuge and Co named FNQ’s best barbershop

A beloved Cairns barbershop has come out on top in the fight to win FNQ’s best barber as voted by Cairns Post readers.

Refuge Barbers has been crowned Far North Queensland's best barber, as voted by Cairns Post readers. Refuge owner Haydon Kemp and senior barber Rachel Thompson have been recognised for their work at the Refuge Grafton Street barber shop. Picture: Brendan Radke

A mainstay in Cairns’ barbershop scene has shared their secrets to success after being voted Far North Queensland’s best barbers.

Refuge and Co Barbershops in Cairns City and Edmonton topped the tally of Far North Queensland’s best barbers by Cairns Post readers in a recent poll, which saw stiff competition from beloved barbers across the region.

Refuge and Co-owner Haydon Kemp said his team was to thank for their win.

“Refuge has been built from our staff, our team makes the business,” Mr Kemp said.

“Every shop I have has it’s own personality and its down to them.”

Shop barber Rachel Thompson said their success was rooted in their connection to clients.

Refuge Barbers has been crowned Far North Queensland's best barber, as voted by Cairns Post readers. Refuge owner Haydon Kemp and senior barber Rachel Thompson have been recognised for their work at the Refuge Grafton Street barber shop. Picture: Brendan Radke

“Each person will go to a different barber for a different reason, they’ll find something special in that barber and that’s why they come back,” she said.

Ms Thompson joked it took time for Cairns to warm to her, only recently moving to the city.

“It took a while to get everyone to trust me but now we are chilling,” she said.

“That’s one of the best things about Cairns is they like supporting locals.”

Mr Kemp said, when he opened his first barbershop a decade ago, he wanted it to be a place where everyone left happy.

“The reason I called it Refuge is because I wanted it to be one,” he said.

“Hopefully we are building a good environment for the customers to come in.

“Making them feel welcome and comfortable, and obviously good haircuts as well.”

Runner Ups:

Ro-yal Kingsman Barbers

Eagle Tamer Barbershop

Originally published as Refuge and Co named FNQ’s best barbershop