LATEST NEWS
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May 2026
Leigh-on-Sea Farmers Market We're very happy to be invited back to Leigh Farmers Market on the last Saturday of the month, 10am to 2pm. It was pre-Covid since we were last there, so it is very exciting to be a part of market once again. We will be attending each month, up to and including October. Please come and support the market, there's lots of goodies inside from beautiful fresh flowers to cakes and homemade goods and the cafe will be open if you fancy some refreshment while you wait for your sharpening. |
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22nd March 2026
Goodbye to hairdressing & dog grooming scissors We have been sharpening scissors for dog groomers and hairdressers for 14 years and are so grateful to our wonderful customers. However, the time has come to streamline the services we offer, and sadly, part of that change involves letting go of sharpening scissors for the dog grooming and hairdressing industries (only). We will continue to sharpen scissors for fabric, embroidery, tailoring, upholstery, kitchen and general household ones too. To our dog grooming customers, we are still here for you if you ever need clipper blades sharpened, or clipper machines serviced and repaired, separately from the scissors. Thank you for trusting us with your tools, we have thoroughly enjoyed working with you, it has been a pleasure. Our future plans, and investment, will be focused mostly on knife sharpening, but also concentrating more on our passion for horse and dog clipper repair & service and clipper blade sharpening. |
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3rd February 2026
Slight price increase to some items Firstly, we are truly grateful for the opportunity to work with all our customers over the years and we appreciate the support. We are committed to continuing to deliver the service you would expect from us, and in line with rising costs, we have had to increase some of our prices slightly. The new pricing takes effect from from 1st February, but of course, any work already booked in will be honoured at the previous rate. Please click the link below if you would like to view the updated price list for 2026: https://www.sharpeningsolutions.co.uk/price-list.html No one likes a price increase, us included, so we thank you for your understanding. As always, we're here to help, please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. |
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5th May 2021
Did you know you can book a while-you-wait appointment with us? There's a park opposite to walk your dog and 3 children's play area's. There's a railed off area for toddlers, an activity area with a zip-wire for older children and a railed-off sandpit too (our own Ashingdon beach!). Your wait-time can be spent outdoors having fun, working in your car catching up on emails and phone calls, or simply taking some time out to chill and read a book. Call us to make your appointment on 07900906544. |
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24th April 2021
Closing for a few days We're taking some time for R&R and will be closed for 4 days, from: Thurs, 29th April - Sun, 2nd May We're sorry for any inconvenience and will see you back, bright eyed and bushy tailed, on the morning of Bank Holiday Monday! |
13th May 2020
Yes, we are now OPEN
After reported new cases of Corvid-19 are thankfully lessening, the government has given the go-ahead for the country to cautiously resurface with some restrictions still in place.
With these restrictions in mind, we will NOT be operating the 'while-u-wait' service or home visits outside of our local area, but we WILL be re-opening the services that are non-contact, see below:
- 'Drop & Lock' Locker System - drop off in the lockers at our house and collect the next day. Contactless payment is available.
- Postal Service - click here for more details. We have a 24hr turnaround.
- Local Home Visits - we'll come to your house and park outside. Leave your items on the doorstep when you see us and we will do the same once they are done. Minimum order of £50. Call 07900 906544 for an appointment.
- Venues - Tower Animal & Pet Feeds Ltd, Tiptree, re-starts 6th June (1st Saturday monthly, 9am to 1pm) and we will also be at The Swan, Little Totham on 7th June (1st Sunday monthly, 10am to 2pm) although the actual pub will remain closed. There is a possibility that Wivenhoe Farmers Market may allow a few traders for an hour or two but this has not yet been confirmed.
We wish you and your family's the very best of health and good luck as you emerge from lockdown to a new 'normal'.
Louise and Joe x
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30 March 2020
Updated Service Notice - 'drop & lock' faciity. If the work you or your business does, is key during this time (i.e. food supplier, chef, etc) we want to help support you. From today, our 'drop & lock' facility will be open. Use the lockers to drop off the items that require sharpening, complete the form with your contact details, lock up and TAKE THE KEY AWAY WITH YOU. Once the work is done, we'll call you and send you a payment link via text or email. Then, collect your items whenever is convenient using your key. We're here to answer any questions, feel free to call us on 07900 906544. Be safe and stay well. x |
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23 March 2020
Updated Response to the Corona Virus Outbreak We are sorry to announce, like many service-based businesses, that now is the right time to close our doors for the foreseeable future. Business will resume as soon as it is deemed safe to do so by the government. Putting financial worries aside, we wish you all a safe, fun and creative time at home. We'll see you all on the other side. All our best to you, Louise and Joe x |
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2March 2020
Response to the Corona Virus Outbreak With enforced isolation soon to be upon us, and many of the market events we normally attend being cancelled, we are responding by offering home visits to those customers within our local vicinity. Take this opportunity to sharpen up your garden tools, so you can at least make good use of this isolation time in the garden. There is no additional charge for a home visit and we have lowered our minimum work requirement from £50.00 to just £20.00. All necessary precautions are in place with disinfecting, gloves, masks and there is a contactless payment facility available. Face to face contact can be avoided by leaving your items outside your door when you see us arrive. Wishing you and your families safe and well. |
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November 2019
Scissor Shop Sharpening Solutions are now distributors of Scissor Mall scissors direct from the USA. We met the owners of Scissor Mall (Larry, Caralee and Sara) in September 2019 and were impressed not only with the quality of their scissors and the affordable prices, but with their close collaboration with the factories involved and the quality control measures. The scissors in our online Scissor Shop were specifically hand-picked for you because of their ergonomic designs. However, Scissor Mall have a full range of over 150 scissors, so if you are interested in viewing their complete brochure, and I would highly recommend it, click here. |
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September 2019
Clipper machine servicing We now service and repair clipper machines. It's important to keep your clippers well maintained if you have to rely on them. Ideally, you'll want to consider having them serviced every 6-12 months if they are used regularly. Even clippers that appear to be running okay (like these pictured opposite) will benefit from a good clean, re-grease & parts check. This helps them to run cool and fast making your clip easier and more pleasurable. Horse clippers - £28.00 + parts Dog grooming clippers - £18.00 + parts Call us now on 07900 906544 to book your service, cable replacement, blade drive change or other such repair. #loveyourclipper #freeyourclipper |
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August 2019
Kent Life magazine mentions Sharpening Solutions Kent Life magazine published an article on the lovely Knockholt Farmers Market and we even got a mention too. This a well supported market with a good atmosphere. Come along and visit us at the market for a while-you-wait sharpening service and check out some great produce on the other stalls; it's on the 4th Saturday of every month, 9am until 1pm. |
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March 2019
Price increase on hairdressing scissors. With effect from 1st March 2019, the cost of sharpening hairdressing scissors will increase. The increase reflects advances made, not only in our knowledge & skills, but also in the machines & diagnostic equipment we use to work on your scissors. The new price will be £20 per pair. We appreciate your business and will continue to work hard to provide the best quality service possible. |
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(DISCONTINUED - February 2021)
December 2018 Join our new loyalty program and gets rewards! Grab your mobile phone and get your Loyalty Card on! Collect the 'stamps' on your phone each time you visit us and receive money-off future sharpens and notification of special offers. Every time we sharpen for you in future, present your card and we'll stamp you, not literally, obviously! Note: If you don't already have a phone wallet, the 'Passes' app will automatically open up for you to keep your Loyalty Card in. Click 'Install' when requested, then 'Open' to view your card. |
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Stamp Card
£10 off your next sharpen with 10 stamps (£10 spend = 1 stamp) Scan the QR code or click loyl.eu/1265 to get your Stamp Card |
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Hairstylists & Barbers Stamp Card
A FREE scissor sharpen with 8 stamps (worth £20) Scan the QR code or click loyl.eu/1264 to get your Stamp Card |
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Saturday, 1st December 2018
Leigh-on-Sea Christmas Fayre, 11am to 4pm Do your Christmas centrepiece justice this year and sharpen up your knives in time for the big day. Fill up on Christmas spirit and visit the Christmas Fayre @ the Community Centre, Elm Road, Leigh-on-Sea, 11am until 4pm. |
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October 2018
Taking a break From Wednesday, 7th November we will be downing tools and taking a break from sharpening for one week. Normal service will be resumed Thursday,16th November (once we've done all our odd jobs around the house and watched as many box sets as we can squeeze in!) |
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October 2018
National Beauty Tool Sharpeners Guild (NBTSG) 10th annual convention Following our previous post, Joe is now home from the NBTSG annual convention not only as the proud recipient of the Larry Brook's Memorial Scholarship 2018, but also as a Board Director, a position he will hold for 2 years. At the convention, Joe had the honour of meeting Dennis Brooks (Larry's son) and took the opportunity to study under him, as well as taking other classes with some of the World's leading sharpeners. Joe says 'It was an amazing experience and I am looking forward to a long and engaging relationship with the NBTSG in order that we may learn, and master, the latest techniques and harness the knowledge being used by the leading experts in hair scissor sharpening'. |
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July 2018
Congratulations! Joe was voted to be the very first recipient of the Larry Brooks' Memorial Scholarship at the National Beauty Tool Sharpeners Guild (NBTSG) in the United States, via his written competition entry. Mr Brooks founded the guild in 1998, sadly, he passed away last year. His son, Dennis, and family set up the scholarship in his memory as they continue his vision for the NBTSG. Joe will be off to Nashville, Tennessee to take part in the NBTSG's 10th annual convention in September and says “It is such an honour to receive this memorial scholarship. The NBTSG is leading the way for sharpeners from all over the world. I am excited to be a part of it, to learn from others, to share my own knowledge and help the guild achieve its goals. Thank you to everyone who voted and I look forward to meeting you all.” Well done Joe…roll on September!!’ |
