In the 90s, Pino Ianelli opened a barbershop in Shirley, but the venture was short-lived, closing its doors just a few years later.
At the start of the new millennium, the barbershop Franco & Pino reopened with Pino’s then-teenage son, Franco, by his side.
Franco, now 41, told Your Local Guardian: “I’ve lived in Shirley all my life.
“My dad’s been in the Shirley area, in the barbershop, since 1990.
“He had to give it up at some point, but when I turned 17, we reopened in Shirley.
“Since 2000, we’ve been doing it together, and now my son’s doing it too.”
Franco’s son Luca is already “showing signs” that he’ll be continuing the family legacy.
The 16-year-old has just completed his GCSEs and is set to embark on an apprenticeship in barbering.
Franco explained: “Luca’s been helping me out since he turned 15.
“He works weekends and school holidays, and he absolutely loves it.
“When I was learning, we didn’t have to do all that.
“I did go to college and stuff, but we weren’t required to stay in education the way you are now.
“That’s why he’s doing it through an apprenticeship.
“But it’s much better for him anyway, because it opens more doors.”
But Franco’s story isn’t just about haircuts.
Before committing fully to the barbershop, he worked in kitchens from the age of 14.
He said: “I wanted to be a chef.
“My dad’s friends had restaurants, and I taught myself along the way.”
This passion for food led Franco to open an Italian restaurant called Luca Mio, named after his son.
Franco said: “I’ve had the restaurant for five years.
“Luca always took an interest in it since he was about 11.
“But when he realised how hectic it is, he chose barbering instead.”
Luca Mio is an Italian restaurant, offering classics, with Franco’s favourite being the pizzas and pastas.
The restaurant is open from Tuesday to Saturday, and Franco admitted that he prefers working at the restaurant over the barbershop.
He described working within the same four walls as “daunting,” while the “hecticness” of the restaurant is much more his style.
Alongside the barbershop and restaurant is Angulina, a coffee and sandwich shop run by Franco’s sister.
The three businesses sit side by side on Wickham Road and employ around 11 people in total.
Franco’s family runs the shops with a mix of relatives and friends.
Franco has other children, including an 11-year-old daughter who already enjoys helping at the restaurant.
Running three businesses isn’t easy, but Franco thrives on the busy atmosphere, saying “Sometimes it’s busier during the week than at weekends.
“The name Ianelli is well known in Shirley now.
“We’ve got regular customers who come back again and again.”
For Franco, the key to success is sticking together.
He said: “We’re old school Italian.
“Family comes first, and everything gets passed down.
“My son Luca is definitely going to take over the barbershop one day.
“My daughter loves the restaurant, and hopefully she’ll carry that on.”
Franco and Pino is open from Wednesday to Sunday, Luca Mio is open Tuesday to Sunday, and Angulina is open Monday to Saturday.
