Some of the best spaces come from simple ideas, done properly. A good atmosphere, the right people, and a sense that everything has been built with care. Save Some Brain Cells is one of those places.
Tucked away on Ship Street in Brighton, and right around the corner from our store, the shop has quickly become a regular fixture in our week. Run by Ryan, Cameron and Oscar, it is a space that feels as much about conversation and community as it does about the craft itself. What they have created is relaxed and welcoming, with a clear point of view that runs through everything from the way the space is set up to how they approach each day.
For this instalment of Friends of Peggs, we spent some time with the three of them at the shop. Between the indoor space and their outdoor setup, it is a place that feels open and considered, with the kind of atmosphere you only really get when people are genuinely invested in what they are building.
Along the way we dressed Ryan, Cameron and Oscar in a selection of current season pieces from the Peggs shelves, keeping things natural to how they would usually wear them. The result sits somewhere between a portrait of the shop and the people behind it.
We also took the opportunity to sit down and talk through how Save Some Brain Cells came to be, the story behind the name, and what it means to build something independently in a city like Brighton. From their early days working together to their plans for the future, it is clear that the shop is rooted in something personal.
Read on for our conversation with Ryan, Cameron and Oscar about Save Some Brain Cells, the culture around barbershops, and the importance of creating spaces that people want to return to.
Opener
P&S: For anyone who hasn’t stepped through the door yet, how would you describe Save Some Brain Cells? What kind of space were you trying to create?
S.S.B.C: Save Some Brain Cells is a space that feels like hanging out in the living room with your mates. Most of our clients we call friends, and with new ones coming in - we try to get to that point as quickly as possible really. No one likes talking about the weather so we would prefer a genuine conversation or someone feeding the comfortability to sit in complete silence and be comfortable with that when they are in the care of us.
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Origins
P&S: Can you talk us through how the three of you came to take over the space? When did it shift from an idea into something real?
Cameron: Ryan and I previously worked at JB & Co two years prior to us taking it over. Jake the previous owner of 12 years said the space felt it had become more like ours and he wanted to take a step back from Brighton so offered us the opportunity to buy it from him. We needed a third piece to the puzzle and Oscar, a childhood friend of ours moved down from London to join us on the venture.
Oscar: I was working and living in London at the time. Cam had moved down to Brighton 2 years prior but would be back up in London every now and then, and on one particular visit he mentioned that the owner of the current shop he was working at with Ryan might be selling up and wanted to pass the shop on. We talked over the years of all knowing each other about how great it would be to have a shop together one day. So it was a no brainer to move down to the coast to run a shop with 2 of your best mates. Easy decision.
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The Name
P&S: The name Save Some Brain Cells feels personal. Can you tell us the story behind it?
S.S.B.C: Save Some Brain Cells (S.S.B.C) - these four letters are very personal to me (Cameron), our siblings and mates. This was a text sign-off from my late Dad. It was a tag of care - when we were out in the wilderness of the night to party and such. Him knowing our shared hedonism (like his in his early life) would use these letters to remind us to never take it too far, but far enough. Wise words to be free and run wild but remember there is always tomorrow. And with that, I think this is something we could all live by and try to do so here in the shop.
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Relationships
P&S: How did the three of you meet, and what made you want to build something together?
Cameron: We have all known each other a very long time. None of us wanted to have a barbershop on our own, we are team players and want to sit back one day together and look at what we have achieved as a group.
Oscar: Me and Cam met in a shop in South London a long time ago, neither of us know exactly when or how long its been but lets say around ten years or something like that. Cam left London to move to Brighton, which is where he met Ryan and I knew I had to meet him. Cam had told me we'd almost certainly be friends and yeah he wasn’t wrong. I'm pretty sure it was Pride weekend when we all first hung out together and yeah, unsurprisingly it was big!
Ryan: I started here three years ago in March and Cam joined two months after me in May. We went for a drink the day he started and it was a hilarious night out. Since then we’ve been like brothers. With Oscar, I met him through Cam on another night out (seems to be a common theme here…) because he was mates with Cam, and we had common ground in barbering - we hit it off straight away.
Roles & Dynamic
P&S: How do your roles naturally fall within the shop? Who does what?
Cameron: I mostly do the social media and I’m a sucker for putting on my headphones with a good history podcast, whilst going to town on a deep clean. I know I shouldn’t say it, but it’s true. I love it!!
Oscar: I'd say I've fallen into more the business side of things 'Colin from accounts' is what the other two sometimes refer to me as, but I do a bit of most things.
Ryan: Cam’s very good at keeping the shop in check when it comes to cleaning, also very good at social media too. Oscar’s pretty hands on with the admin side of the shop. I usually just turn up cut hair and go home.
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The Space
P&S: The shop feels very considered, inside and out. What was important to you when shaping the space?
S.S.B.C: Lots of barbershops now are very clean and minimal with hexagon lighting - that’s great and lovely but we wanted to create something that was timeless and felt homely. All over the shop, there are personal pictures on the wall and little trinkets from each of our lives.
My (Cameron) personal favourite one is the fish tank with Asian-inspired ornaments inside and an array of tropical fish. This particular fish tank is special because me and my dad used to take great pleasure in cleaning it and talking about all the fish inside. I always think it’s weird that there’s a whole ocean down at the bottom of the road and they just don’t know it. They’re happy in their world!
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P&S: The outdoor area is quite unique for a barbershop. Where did that idea come from, and how do you see it evolving?
Cameron: “The alfresco barbering experience” as we like to call it - is the showstopper for our shop. The fact that you can walk directly off the street into an outside barbershop is something we have not come across anywhere in the UK and believe we are the only ones to do it. Being a beach town and a colourful city - our outside barbershop lends well to that. Even though it’s outside, we have still made it feel like a clean and professional environment. I always say the experience is not just for us - it’s for the office worker that has to sit inside on the sunniest day of the year and by the time they finish work the sun has gone. This way they can come in for a haircut on their lunch break and get a slice of the rare British summertime. I hope to keep building on this outside barbershop and make it into something visually even more impressive!
Oscar: I'd say it probably comes from all the times any of us would be cutting hair indoors throughout the hot summer months at previous barbershops looking out the window dreaming of being outside. No other barbershop we know of has the ability to do this. An area/courtyard with enough space for a few chairs just off the street where people walking past can see in - it just makes complete sense to pick up and move everything outside. It’s the perfect space. We plan to eventually also use this outdoor space for other things, especially over the summer months we've spoken about doing events/collabs etc, so yeah make sure you keep an eye out on the socials!
Vision
P&S: What do you think makes Save Some Brain Cells different from a typical barbershop?
S.S.B.C: The outside area is definitely something that sets as apart from other barbershops.
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P&S: You’ve mentioned wanting to become the UK’s first outdoor barbershop. What does that look like in reality?
S.S.B.C: The UK’s first outdoor barbershop is a statement I like to say and people always refer back to saying “well what do you do when it’s raining?” Obviously we realise you can’t have an outdoor only barbershop but I’d like to get to the point where it’s comfortable and set up enough to handle conditions where you could, for at least six months of the year, be an outside operating barbershop.
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Style & Influences
P&S: How would you each describe your personal style, and what influences it?
Cameron: I would describe my personal style as 1950/60’s classics mixed with next to nothing on when it’s hot hot hot! I’m a fan of a high waisted trouser with wide leg too!
Oscar: I think for a long time I've just been about being comfy. Wide/relaxed/loose fitting clothing - usually something you can just throw on. Day to day, especially when working at the barbershop and you’re on your feet all day - comfort is key. I'm definitely someone that will wear a piece of clothing to death. I've always been a big secondhand clothing shopper, more online I’d say now though (Depop, Vinted, Ebay, etc.)
Ryan: I’d say when it comes to style I’ve usually worn quite baggy, loose fitting trousers/jeans. Same with hoodies and tees too. I like to feel comfy and unrestricted when moving about day to day. I do from time to time bring out the loafers and shirt if it’s a more formal event but as I said, comfy is king.
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P&S: Are there any people, brands, or cultural references that have shaped how you think about clothing and presentation?
Cameron: My brother is a great inspiration to me. He runs the clothing brand Scott Fraser Collection and he has always been a great influence on me in my life whether it be my love of classic Vespers or northern soul music. He’s the best brother I could’ve asked for and I’m so proud of what he has done with his brand. Definitely check him out!
Brighton & Community
P&S: Brighton has such a strong network of independents. Which spots do you find yourselves drawn to, and why are those kinds of spaces important?
Cameron: Peggs & son. is a great brand. Your shop staff are always so welcoming when you go inside and you have curated a nice mix for everyone. When I have clients down for the weekend and they ask where to go shopping, I always point them in your direction! We share our shop with Granny’s Café and what they have done to the matcha scene in Brighton is astronomical. Not to mention the owner Mike being a legend and guiding us every step of the way in our entrepreneurial career, he’s such a smart guy.
Oscar: The Well. We end up at there quite a lot specifically the one on Palmeira Square as that’s very near to where we all first lived. I think they hadn’t long opened when I moved down here so around the time we took over the shop. We would pop in there as it was pretty much on the way home throughout our first summer. One, two or sometimes a few jars - which eventually led to us becoming friends with the lovely guys who run it. Also a big shout out (goes without saying) to our neighbours Granny's Cafe. Mike and the rest of the team are genuinely just the nicest people, they've created such a lovely, warm and welcoming space to be in. Couldn't ask to be next door to a better place.
Ryan: I think we can all say we love going to The Well on Palmeira Square in hove. It’s a great spot and near to where I live too so it’s easy to get to. Other than that I think the Neptune is a close second. In terms of food/coffee I’m going to have to go with Granny’s Cafe, our wonderful neighbour’s next door and also Taro two doors down. You’ll usually find us here at lunch time or in the morning grabbing a coffee before work. I think it’s important to support local and independent because it’s very hard as a business owner nowadays to keep afloat. Word of mouth and recommendations to friends can do a lot for a business.
Day-to-Day
P&S: What’s been the most rewarding part of running the shop so far? And what’s been the biggest challenge?
Cameron: The most rewarding part so far is hearing the way people speak about the shop when they come in and tell us that a friend recommended it. The biggest challenge was setting up all the admin side of things as we aren’t corporate-minded people and a lot of those documents are worded in a very complex way for no reason in my opinion!
Oscar: Definitely the response people have had towards the shop even in this short time it already feels like we’re a part of something. The friendships we’ve built with clients and other businesses around the area has been such a nice part of this journey. The most challenging part would definitely be the initial set up of the business - none of us really having much of an idea how it all works. Having plenty of friends and family around us for advice helped out. We've all learnt a hell of a lot since opening.
Ryan: I’d say the most rewarding part of the shop is bringing confidence to people through a good cut, I always say, “if you look good, you feel good”. I think typically, with men, the only two things you do for your appearance is do your hair and wear something you like. I think for us to be half of that equation is pretty important. I’d say the biggest challenge would be just trying to get our heads around budgeting, upfront costs and being smart with money. We’re slowly learning. But I think this is something that mainly comes with time.
To Close
P&S: If Save Some Brain Cells had a soundtrack, what would be playing?
Cameron: The soundtrack to the shop would be anything from The Beach Boys personally for me, it was my Dad’s favourite group and when the suns out and we’re in the courtyard it definitely feels like a moment to belt out The Beach Boys!
Oscar: The first song that comes to mind is Maxwell Udoh - I Like It (Don’t Stop). I’m pretty sure it just came on one day in the shop and it was then used it for a particular insta post. Anyway it always brings back happy shop memories and good times. Which is pretty much what we’re all about.
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P&S: Is there anything coming up that people should know about, or anything you’d like to shout about?
Cameron: Last year for Brighton pride we did a collaboration with Red Bull where we pushed everything in the shop to one side, brought in these massive DJ decks and anyone off the street was welcome. We hope to do the same this year and collaborate with Red Bull for that. It was truly special last year and some people ended up spending their whole time at our shop and not going anywhere else! At Christmas, we sell Christmas trees in the courtyard, but that’s a while off yet!
Oscar: S.S.B.C MERCH IS EN ROUTE!
P&S: Thanks guys, it’s been great to chat - we had a lot of fun. Let’s get a beer soon!
