Barry and Carol Cruze, a married couple credited with revitalising Bath’s Moorland Road shopping district, are marking their 60th wedding anniversary today, Thursday 6 August. Both aged 83, the couple first met in the city where Barry operated a hair salon. Their partnership began when Barry asked Carol out following her appointment at his salon, leading to six decades together.
The couple married in 1966, a year memorable in England for winning the World Cup, which Barry fondly recalls as a date he “never forgot”. They have two children, Jeremy and Nick, and are grandparents to Toby, Jamie, Rebecca, and Sophie.
In 1972, the Cruzes established their hair salon on Moorland Road, then a quiet and overlooked area. Through their dedication and vision, the area transformed into a vibrant high street featuring independent cafes, restaurants, mini-supermarkets, charity shops, and a bookshop. The couple committed themselves to beautifying the street by planting thousands of seeds and bulbs, which significantly enhanced its appeal.
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“When we opened our shop it was a backwater, but we were determined to get it on the map. We used to plant thousands of plants. It worked! It became a very busy road,” they reflected.
Their efforts earned them recognition from Bath in Bloom, including an award for their pioneering community work. Among their enduring contributions was the introduction of Christmas lights to Moorland Road. Initiated in 1991 through a traders' association founded by the Cruzes, these festive lights have become a cherished annual tradition.
In addition to their local regeneration work, Barry and Carol have been devoted supporters of the charity CLIC Sargent, now known as Young Lives Vs Cancer.
Barry was honoured with an MBE for his community service, though he expressed that Carol’s contributions were equally deserving of recognition: “Carol should have gotten one as well!”
After over four decades in business, the couple retired in 2016, with their son initially taking over the hair salon, which has since closed. They continue to reside in Bath, with Barry serving as honorary president of Bath in Bloom. Despite no longer being able to participate physically, he remains involved behind the scenes and keeps a watchful eye over Moorland Road - a street close to their hearts.
“It’s one of my favourite places,” Barry shared, reflecting on the legacy he and Carol have helped to build.