Tributes paid to much-loved Heaton barber whose death has left a community 'absolutely devastated'

Tributes have been paid to a much-loved barber who has sadly passed away, leaving a community "absolutely devastated".

James Kilty, of James Kilty Barbershop, has been a popular member of the Heaton community since he started working at the barbers on Warton Terrace over 30 years ago. He took ownership of the business around 15 years later and has gone on to serve generations of families, many of whom enjoyed a chat about football and his beloved Newcastle United.

He was known for being a happy, genuine man who cared deeply for his clients and the community and "had a grasp on everyone". He would listen to anything his clients had to get off their chest, and when they were unable to get out of the house he would go to their homes.

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The news of his death on Saturday, June 8, has come as a huge shock to the community. He was just 54. Scott Breen, who became friends with James when he started working next door, said: "He was a lovely, lovely guy and people are absolutely devastated.

"I had to console someone outside who burst into tears saying they couldn't believe it. He had a grasp on everyone. He was such a lovely, kind person."

Scott said he first met James when his mum and dad would take him to get his hair cut at the barbershop when he was a child. They became good friends when Scott started working at Ron Breen Estate Agents next door 25 years ago.

Scott, 45, said: "He was fantastic. He was always upbeat and as soon as you went in he would be talking about Newcastle United, asking what you thought about the match - he was football mad.

"He loved the local community too. People would pop in and chat about golf, cricket, football and anything that they wanted to get off their chest. He would stand there, cut your hair and listen and put the world to rights."

Flowers have been laid at the entrance to his business following the tragic news, some with moving messages attached to them. One message read: "RIP James. Sadly missed by us all, so sorry."

Nicola Fulham, who has worked with James for 30 years, said James was "such a laugh" and would always have a shop full of customers. She said: "He would have all the customers laughing, then he would be putting the world to rights with somebody or helping somebody by doing a counselling session with them. He was a big Newcastle United and cricket fan and it was like talkSPORT in the shop sometimes."

Nicola said that James would always have sweets on the counter that were not just for the kids. And at Christmas he would buy lots of alcohol and give it away to the clients throughout December. "He would have a menu and he would give drinks away to the customers for Christmas", Nicola added.

In tribute to her boss, she said: "He was one in a million. He was an absolute diamond of a bloke and will be sadly missed by lots of people."

She added: "He was a lovely fella who had time for everybody. He knew everything about his customers and their families because generations of families have gone there for years. He would always ask how people were doing and he'd remember the most minute detail about things. He was just a very kind, caring and generous fella."

Local resident Jack Arthurs considered James Kilty Barbershop as one of his favourite places in Heaton, having been a customer there for over 20 years. His most recent visit was only last week when James appeared "on good form as ever".

Jack said: "I saw James for a trim last week. I'm so glad I did. He was on good form as ever, and after talking about his family, we chatted about the local pharmacy closure on Chillingham Road. He was genuinely concerned about the effect this is having on the most vulnerable members of the Heaton community: the elderly and young children."

The musician and songwriter added: "James was deeply committed to serving the local community. He put all his customers at ease, and was naturally relaxed cutting children's hair, much to the relief of their parents. He cared about his elderly and vulnerable customers too, going to their homes to cut their hair, when they were no longer mobile enough to go outdoors.

"James was a massive Newcastle United fan, and Alan Shearer was in his year at school in Gosforth. He was equally knowledgeable about lower division football. He would fill me in on developments in my home town, York. When York City FC recently moved from Bootham Crescent to the LNER Community Stadium at Monks Cross, James knew all about this, as one of his customers was constructing the new stadium.

"People came from miles around for their haircut, and looked forward to seeing James, because not only was he a great barber, his customers became his friends, and he made a visit to the shop fun."

Paying tribute, James Screen, who had been James' client for around 30 years, said: "He served three generations of my family - me, my sons and my grandsons. He was a really lovely man, a very good friend of mine, and the whole of Heaton who knew him are mourning his loss."

James said he started visiting the barbershop, which was established in 1937, when it was run by its previous owner, Alan Taylor. But when Alan passed on the business to James Kilty, the pair became friends.

He added: "James was very polite and a very good hairdresser. We always had a really happy, friendly conversation. Like me, he was a mad Newcastle United supporter and he had been a golfer at my golf club when he was a young lad because he went to school with some of the lads at the golf club. He was a genuine, nice man."

A JustGiving crowdfunding page has been set up in his memory to help his wife Steph, son Nick and daughter Jenny with funeral costs and any other expenses they will incur at this sad time. More information about how to donate can be found here.