Marylebone barber hangs up his scissors after 25 years of serving Chiltern customers

After twenty-five years at Marylebone station, Demetris Georgiou, or Chris as he is commonly known, has become a staple for Chiltern customers, and a familiar and friendly face for those looking for a quick trim when departing or arriving at the capital.  

Last Friday, 15 September, was Mr. Georgiou’s last day at the shop before a reluctant retirement at 78 years old.  

Three generations of the Georgiou family have cut hair at railway stations, with his father working at London Bridge station. It just so happens that the founder of Chiltern Railways, the late Adrian Shooter CBE, was a regular customer.  

Years later, Mr Shooter encountered Chris cutting hair at Paddington Station, where he was based for three years, before being ‘headhunted’ by the Chiltern Railways chief to work at London Marylebone instead, only a short time after the franchise began.  

Opening on 16 February 1998, this year marks 25 years of high-quality haircuts at Marylebone station. Since then, Chris has been joined by his son, John, meaning that three generations have provided barber shop services to rail customers over the decades. Spectacularly, his estimate of haircuts over his time at Marylebone station is around 75,000. 

Mr. Georgiou, owner of the barbershop at Marylebone station, said: 

“I find the people at Marylebone station to be very pleasant, kind and a pleasure to serve. It really didn’t take much persuading from Adrian Shooter when he asked me if I would like to work at the station. 

“I didn’t really want to retire, but I’m 78 now and my family have told me that I have to! 

“My plans are to spend time with my wife and my oldest son, who has cerebral palsy. We will go on holiday at some point, but nothing planned yet!” 

To bid farewell to Chris and John, Commercial & Customer Strategy Director Andy Camp visited the shop for one final trim after over a decade of visiting the shop, also presenting Chris with a framed pair of golden scissors that have been used at many Chiltern events since 1998, including when former Prime Minister David Cameron cut the ribbon at the opening of Oxford Parkway station in 2015.  

Andy Camp, Commercial & Customer Strategy Director at Chiltern Railways, said: 

“Chris and John’s shop has left a lasting impression on customers and colleagues at Chiltern, both past and present. We’re sorry to see them leave Marylebone, and as a long-time customer of over ten years, I didn’t want to see Chris retire without visiting one last time. 

“They encapsulate the friendly, familiar, reliable service that we aim to provide to our customers and have been a real asset to Marylebone station for the last 25 years. 

“We’d like to wish Chris all the very best in his retirement and thank him and John for their continued service to Chiltern customers.” 

The impact that Mr. Georgiou has had on the team at Chiltern Railways also extends to former staff and leadership.  

Rob Brighouse, former Managing Director at Chiltern Railways between 2011 and 2015, said: 

“Having joined Chiltern in 2000, I soon became aware of the unique character of Marylebone Station and the individual tenants on the station that created that ‘special feel’. 

“Chris, and his son, John, always stood out as exceptional and their focus on the customer over many years was, in a way, an exact reflection of all that we stand for at Chiltern Railways. 

“When I took over as Managing Director in 2011, I developed an increased appreciation of how Chris and John were a real part of the company and its presence at Marylebone. 

“They have done us proud and will be missed. I wish them both the very best for the future.” 

Chiltern Railways would like to express its sincere gratitude to Chris, and his son John, for 25 years of dedicated service to the customers of Marylebone station and the whole Chiltern network.