Covid-19 Barbers ‘still advertising haircuts online’
LOCKDOWN haircuts are still being brazenly advertised on Facebook, despite the order for non-essential businesses to close.
Several barbers in the Bristol area have been seen publicly posting their services on social media, claiming to be offering cuts during the four-week national lockdown.
Hairdressers and barbers are among the non-essential businesses that have been required to close since November 5, and the government guidance states that this also applies to those offering a mobile service.
Despite this, it would appear that a minority have continued to offer their services.
The Redland Barbers page on Facebook has repeatedly advertised lockdown cuts, as it also did during the first lockdown.
A post on November 12 read: “I’m doing haircuts at my house during lockdown, message me to book in.”
Later that day a separate post added: “I’m at Hartcliffe this evening. Let me know if you need haircut.”
The Post approached Redland Barbers for comment and was told that the posts have since been deleted, and that it is “not doing any haircuts”.
Posts from the first lockdown in spring also repeatedly advertised haircuts.
Several posts from May ended with: “Any comments on here about how I shouldn’t be doing this will be ignored, and a witch hunt can be done elsewhere.”
That same month, the Post reported on barber Sean Stephens advertising haircuts during the lockdown period.
This time around, there have still been several public posts on the Facebook page with similar messages.
One post, dated November 9, read: “Bookings available for haircuts at home this week.”
The following day he reiterated: “Message me if you’d like a haircut this week.” When approached for a comment, Mr Stephens said the article last time was “not only completely unfounded but a pathetic low level excuse for journalism”.
He said he has been spending his time “at home working on cars”, proceeding to send a photo of a man next to a car wheel in a thumbs-up pose.
The British Master Barbers Association has previously said that people breaking the rules “feels like an insult” to those complying.
Last week, a Bristol barber posted on Facebook expressing frustration at those breaking the rules.
The barber, who asked not to be named, said: “I don’t understand how some barbershops are still advertising, are open and working in Bristol and getting away with it, I thought all barbershops had to close!
“Bristol City Council do your job and pull your finger out, that’s two I’ve heard of in the last week not following the rules. I’ve closed my business and doing everything that is asked of me and some don’t give a s***!”
He did not name either of the businesses, but the Post understands they are different to those named above.
In a further statement, the barber added that the additional Covid safety measures had set him back about an extra £200 per month for cleaning and supplies, yet he had seen others operating without such measures.
A Bristol City Council spokesperson said: “Complaints received about businesses not following the latest Covid-19 rules and regulations will be investigated and responded to appropriately.
“Any concerns should be reported by calling 0117 922 2500 or emailing health.safety@bristol.gov.uk.
“The vast majority of businesses in the city are following these rules despite the great challenges they face in doing so. We remain grateful to all those who continue to follow public health advice to protect each other and our communities.”