CHARLIE'S Barber Shop is celebrating 40 years of business, and founder Charlie Summerville said he has seen many haircut trends come full circle over the decades.

The Bell St shop has stayed at the height of male hairstyle fashion, and Mr Summerville lists short back and sides, flat tops and edgier mohawk and mullet cuts as styles that he has seen rise and fall in popularity over the years.

Mr Summerville said The Beatles proved an unlikely threat to his profession in the early years.

"I worked in North Ipswich before I opened up in Bell St, and after The Beatles grew their hair out everyone else decided they didn't need a haircut," Mr Summerville said.

"I remember when we started short back and sides and square cuts were very popular, and I've even cut a few mohawks over the years.

"I guess my trademark style used to be flat tops but trends come and go in cycles and we cut according to what people want," Mr Summerville said.

"Flat tops became a really big trend in the '80s though; we used to have boys lining the hallway to come in and get them done on Saturday mornings.

"Since opening here, we've had three or four generations of families come through, and we've seen a lot of regular customers grow up."

Mr Summerville said haircuts used to be priced at "fifty or sixty cents," in 1972.

"Now we charge about $20, which is still below the recommended price so it's great value," Mr Summerville said.

FLASHBACK TO '72

Gough Whitlam replaced William McMahon as Prime Minister in December

Health warnings became compulsory on cigarette packs

The last time man was on the moon

Australia's withdrawal from the Vietnam War was underway

Donny Osmond's "Puppy Love" was number one .