From Florence to Medway – one barber's life-changing decision to launch a new business has helped breathe life into a part of a high street which was largely derelict.

When it opened, Dolce B's salon in Chatham High Street was one of the first businesses in the area to cater to the hair needs of black and Asian people.

The owner, who goes by the shop's name, is in his 30s and lives in Maidstone.

But the stylist originally grew up in Florence, Italy, before setting up a new life in the United Kingdom where there were better job prospects.

Dolce believes that his salon kick-started an influx of business activity in the area after his arrival.

He said: "When I came, there was just one African shop which sold raw food. It was there for around six months after I started.

"The high street was dead, there was no one.

"After I established my business, within three years, I encouraged business owners to open on the street, one of which was a shop called Zee Fashions and Fabrics.

"After that, more and more people took an interest and started coming to this part of the high street.

"It makes me feel like I have made the high street more important. There's more people on this part than there was when I came more than 10 years ago."

Since his arrival, a number of shops have sprung up on the street including Dreamlight music, film and photography studio, Stitches Tattoo shop, Fogah's Caribbean restaurant and Zee's fabric shop.

Dolce's salon now sees well over 300 people a week.

His journey to Medway was an interesting one. He said: "I was raised in Italy from childhood after I had moved from Nigeria.

"I was cutting hair in Italy before I moved to England around 2010.

"I understood that the demand was quite high so I set up my business in this area.

"Chatham is a lovely area – it's not as bad as people portray it to be.

"It's different from what I actually thought I would do with my life, but I am happy.

"I feel privileged and happy to provide a service which is in such high demand and being able to give people what they ask for.

"It feels good to see people leaving looking different to how they did when they came in.

"I like the transition between the before and after.

"My day-to-day is very busy, most of the time we're fully booked up.

"We do advise people who want to come that they are more than welcome to come in although we prefer if people book, so that way you know you will be attended to immediately and not have to wait a couple of hours.

"I don't feel anything special because I run a black business, it's just about trying to give everyone that service.

"It's different from what I actually thought I would do with my life, but I am happy"

"Our services are for everyone whether they are, African, Asian or European."

Carl Chambers, 52, a compliance officer, has come to the salon for more than eight years after he found that Dolce took a very professional approach to his work, and was close by.

He said: "I traditionally had to go up to London to get a haircut and everything that went with that which was travelling up there and never knowing when you're going to be seen.

"You could be in there for hours, so it was nice to have somebody local in a professional and inviting location."

Carl used to live in Halling but now lives in Kings Hill.

He continued: "You can actually book to get your haircut here, so for me I get a haircut weekly and it's part of my routine.

"The fact I can just drive down here, from half an hour away, come down and get my haircut and get back to work is fantastic.

"It's certainly welcoming and the environment is very professional.

"Dolce as a person is hard working. It's inspiring to see a young man put his heart and soul into a project and this is the result of it.

"I think it's important to recognise the diversity of the area and the contribution black people bring to the area also.

"I've been in this area for about 22 years and it's interesting to see it go from what it was to what it is now.

"There's so many new buildings in Strood and also Chatham and it's great to see so many black people in the area.

"I think in the past you felt a little bit isolated so it's good to see black people in the area and positively represented as well."

Mosin, 31, works in local government and is also a physiotherapist. He has lived in the area since 2002.

He said: "I've been coming to Dolce's since I was 21, so it's been a good 10 years.

"It's like a central hub in this part of Chatham where I feel you get a whole mix of people.

"It's always good, people are bouncing off each other, there's always conversations; the last person before you could be having in-depth conversations about philosophy.

"Or just come in purely for vibes, it's always a great time.

"Before, people would have to drive out the area to get a particular style of haircut, so I think it's beneficial.

"When I step into the shop I feel good, it's family vibes and comfortable.

"The seating, lighting and machines are always checked up, it's hygienic and that's what you ask for from a barber's.

"It's got a good community feel to it. You might bump into an old friend you haven't seen in five or seven years and just have a good catch-up as you're waiting to get your haircut.

"It can get busy at times, so you have to find the right time to come in, but even when you're waiting there's never a dull moment."