Mike Regan: village barber remembered as 'part of the fabric' of Eton Wick

A lifelong barber whose skill with the scissors saw him become ‘part of the fabric’ of Eton Wick has been remembered for his love of the job and the community he served.

Mike Regan, who ran Mike’s barber shop in the village for decades, died aged 82 on January 10, having retired in 2023.

A Facebook post after his death received hundreds of reactions and an outpouring of affection for Eton Wick’s long-serving barber.

“He said if he had his time over again, he would choose the same job,” said Mike’s son Jake Regan, 57.  “He absolutely loved it.”

Mike pictured with his Triumph Bonneville motorcycle (R)

Mike began his haircutting career as a fresh-faced apprentice at a barber shop in Ascot High Street, aged just 15.

After a move to Windsor in his early 20s, his job took him to Langley and later Farnham Road, Slough.

Mike would open his self-titled barber shop Mike’s in Eton Wick Road in 1985 – the village’s first barbershop for years.

“I wanted to work for myself,” he told the Windsor Express at the time.

“I am told it is 25 years since there was anyone in the village doing this, so I think there should be a big demand.”

Selected Windsor Express cuttings featuring Mike Regan

Accompanied by the music of his favourite country music stars Willie Nelson and George Jones playing over the barber shop’s radio, customers old and young kept coming back.

He would often go a cut above in the call of duty, offering appointments out of hours and away from the shop.

“He did that for quite a lot of people after work in the evening,” said Mr Regan.

“If someone was infirm, ill, can’t make their way to the shop, he’d happily stop in their home, do visits to people in hospital, cut their hair in hospital as well if needed.”

In a 1988 Windsor Express edition, Mike was nicknamed the ‘demon barberafter performing a particularly ‘close shave’ on an estate agent’s beard as part of a £1,200 charity fundraiser.

Mike’s name appeared in the Express again in 1995, this time amid a battle with Thames Water after the utility company delayed the opening of his Moores Lane shop due to mains connection issues.

But Mike would prevail and was able to open the shop where he remained cutting his customers’ hair for years.

Mike's Moores Lane barber shop pictured in 2018 (Google)

He decided to call it quits on a more than six-decade career in 2023, aged 79.

He had his own hair cut for the last time in 2025, at the Ascot High Street barbers where it all began.

“To be in Eton Wick for all those years, I think he was part of the fabric of the village,” Mr Regan said. “Well known, although he didn’t live there.

“He really was accepted as a member of the village.”

Mike is survived by his wife of more than 50 years Brenda, sons Jake and Sean Regan, and granddaughter Ines.

A funeral will take place at Easthampstead crematorium in Bracknell from 12.30pm on Friday, February 6, followed by a celebration of his life at Stirrups Hotel.

“Any of his old customers or friends are welcome to attend,” Mr Regan said.