A BARBER’S shop once targeted in a vandal attack could be crowned best in the UK for its efforts to grab customers’ attention.

Andy’s Barber Shop will go up against three others from across the UK after being nominated for Best Marketed Barber Shop of the Year in the Barber Connect awards.

The barber’s webcam system, used to let customers see how long their wait could be, has put it a cut above the competition.

Back in 2010, owner Andy Willis, 37, had to pay thousands of pounds after the shop in Sheep Street, Bicester, was broken into and vandalised.

He said a man put a knife through the £2,500 chairs and smashed a photo of his late grandad.

Mr Wallis said the nomination was the perfect antidote to those harder times.

He said: “I think this award is a middle finger up to that yob.

“Things like that can get to you but then, on the other hand, we get some of Oxford United’s players coming in and a 90-year-old who brings us sandwiches.

“We do things differently. I used to have people ringing up 10 times a day asking if it was busy so we have a webcam where people can view the queue.”

He added: “I am absolutely delighted because we have entered before and have never got shortlisted.”

More than 100 barbers from across the country entered the competition.

Barber Connect co-owner Matt Brice said it was Mr Wallis’ use of a webcam system that stood out.

Mr Brice said: “The webcam was a great way of marketing themselves and being in touch with their customers because there are not many barbers that do that.”

The finals take place on Sunday in Cardiff.