Apparently these shops are stood empty for long periods of time. There is the suspicion that there aren't enough staff and customers to even form a barber shop choir.
However, takings have been unusually large in most of these shops.

In other news....
In West Mercia,
"Police have seized more than 500,000 pounds from barbershops being used as fronts for money laundering.

West Mercia Police said it executed 33 warrants in Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire last month.

It was working in conjunction with Trading Standards, the immigration service, and HMRC.

"Whilst these businesses appeared legitimate, they were actually tools for criminals to hide illegal cash flow," said Det Insp Dan Fenn from the force's Economic Crime Unit (ECU).

The action was taken as part of Operation Machinize, which targeted criminal gangs using barbershops as fronts for fraud, money laundering, and the sale of illicit goods.

Officers seized more than 500,000 pounds in illegal funds and 16,000 pounds in cash.

A total of seven people were arrested by police and immigration officers.''

Footnote; There were no signs of any barber shop choir activity in those premises which were raided.