Beauty industry’s pledge to fight closure orders

AT A LOSS Make-up artist Paddy Mcgurgan

TWO people in the make-up and beauty sector say the coronavirus restrictions have brought their once thriving business to its knees.

Emma Mclaughlin, who invested thousands in her own salon in Castlewellan, Co Down, launched a petition to highlight the plight of many employed in her profession.

Thousands of people have added their name to her demand to the Executive to reopen the industry.

Emma said: “We’ve always offered a safe environment to start with but we followed the guidance and closed for four months.

“We invested heavily in our businesses, jumped through hoops, enhanced hygiene and cross contamination practices for ourselves and our clients. We literally could not do any more.

“But after a few days back open we were closed down again and we’ve yet to see the evidence to back up that move – and we believe there is none. I’d say that we are one of the least risky types of businesses in the country.”

Emma, who is in her 30s, specialises in nails and had worked in a salon for eight years when she took the step to go out on her own.

She had a studio set up less than two years ago and business was booming, allowing her to remain in her own community and meet her bills.

Emma said: “Now the studio is sitting empty, my clients are unable to visit, I’ve no way to pay bills and everyone is being affected emotionally and mentally.

“Hair, make-up and nails are now a part of many people’s lives. They’re an expression of how we wish to be seen and not being able to help people makes me feel miserable. “The financial and emotional impacts have been a disaster.

“Our government has shown us no real evidence that points to us as being culprits when it comes to spreading the virus.

“If there was evidence we’d just have to take it on the chin.

“My salon is clinically clean, I work behind a mask, I work behind a screen, I use barbicide and other disinfectants and the risk is less than minimal.

“When I started the petition I felt it would attract attention and it’s not just a matter of people adding their

CAMPAIGN Emma started a petition to get reopened

BLAMELESS Salon owner Emma Mclaughlin name, they’re commenting too, and they understand and support what I’m saying. When the petition hits 10,000 I will be presenting it to Stormont.”

Award-winning make-up artist Paddy Mcgurgan, who is based in Belfast’s Royal Avenue, is backing Emma’s campaign.

He said: “That’s been devastating. Emma’s petition just shows the strength of feeling.

“In some way we’re part of the hospitality industry from weddings and parties to days out and nights in.

“We also work with people struggling with mental health and physical health and people turn to us for a mood lift very, very often. Feeling good is associated with looking our best and being shut down on the assumption we’re spreading a virus is not right.

“This industry will crumble and close if we’re not allowed to open.”

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