Combing attractions?
Why hair stylists taking reopening date with a pinch of salt
THE Scottish government has announced that hairdressers and garden centres can reopen on April 5, but England’s uncertainty is causing Leicester’s hairdressers to become frustrated.
Although Boris Johnson has given a prospective reopening date of April 12, local salon owners say they have learned to take these dates “with a pinch of salt”.
Hair stylist Malcolm Causier, 43, of Malcolm Murphy Hair, in Leicester, said: “It seems that we are always playing catch-up with Scotland and Wales.
“All businesses want is clarity so we can effectively plan for our return.
“Although we are gearing up for reopening in April 12, we have learned to take these dates with a pinch of salt.”
The hairdressing industry is among the hardest hit by Covid-19 along with hospitality.
However, the hospitality sector is now receiving a VAT reduction as a result of premises being closed.
But the hair and beauty industry has not received the same benefit.
Malcolm said: “To make matters worse, we cannot offer a takeaway service for haircuts – when we’re shut, we’re shut.”
Self-employed beauty therapist, Alicia Humphreys, 31, of Eden Rose Nails & Beauty, has expressed the same frustration.
She told the Mercury: “I feel business owners in England have been strung along for too long now.
“Whilst I appreciate we have to take precautions, the effect this is having on small businesses is devastating.
“The unclear roadmap, I feel, is getting people’s hopes up that all will open on a set date, but as we know from last time, it could well be changed at short notice, impacting business and business owners’ mental health.”
Self-employed Alicia has not been eligible for any business support despite losing a substantial amount of custom. Even with a prospective reopening date, she is still experiencing issues.
She added: “Whilst my waiting list is building back up now for April, a lot of my clients are still deciding to wait until later on in the year for their treatments.”
Despite the uncertainty and frustration, the businesses are hopeful that they can eventually recover but still feel more support is needed.
Malcolm said: “I believe that we will recover eventually because we do have a really loyal client base and amazing team.
“I hope things will get easier when infection rates drop and most people have been vaccinated.
“This will hopefully encourage cautious customers back to the salon.” However, many in the industry are still calling for a reduction in VAT in line with hospitality to help them rebuild.
Malcolm said: “Reducing VAT to 5 per cent for the hair and beauty industry only seems fair considering they were closed for the same amount of time.”
Alicia Humphreys similarly acknowledges that a lot of business owners have slipped through the gaps.
She said: “Whilst I appreciate the support the government have provided to other businesses, I do feel more could have been to make sure no business owner was missed.”
As of March 17, the government has said that salons will be able to reopen on April 12.
We cannot offer a takeaway service for haircuts – when we’re shut, we’re shut
Malcolm Causier