Tattoo and beauty shops left ‘fuming’
‘THIS WILL FINISH MOST STUDIOS’
OWNERS of tattoo parlours and beauty salons in north Nottinghamshire are “fuming” because they have to close in Tier Three.
They are also unhappy with the lack of time to close down their businesses, with some having to return deposits to clients.
Tattoo parlours, nail salons and piercing shops must close and shop alcohol sales are banned from 9pm.
Joe Millership, owner of Deeper Than The Needle tattoo parlour in Mansfield, said: “This is a massive hit for us. We had a lot of bookings here that we’ve had to cancel within 24 hours. It’s left me fuming.
“It feels like tattoo parlours are being punished because we have to close now but in the first lockdown we were in the same category as hairdressers. I don’t know what’s changed in two months.
“I think this will finish most tattoo studios here to be honest. Even closing down a small business takes a lot longer than 24 hours.”
Sarah Kisney, owner of The White Room beauty salon in Sutton-in-ashfield, said: “For us the big concern is how last-minute this all feels again. I do not see the evidence that beauty salons are causing the spread and should close.
“It’s all been very confusing for us.” Tattooist Mark Hardy, of Worksop. who works at Crazy 88 Tattoo Studio in Retford, said: “It obviously means we can’t work and we have to shut shop with around a day’s notice. All the while we have no idea when this will end.
“There are grants we can access but everyone knows it won’t be the same as before. I don’t think barbers should close either but we have just as much close contact as they do. It makes me think there’s a massive misunderstanding here.”
Mansfield MP Ben Bradley said: “It’s very frustrating to be in this situation where we’ve got additional restrictions. A few weeks ago we’d been making the case to avoid that, but the figures have changed massively in Mansfield since then.
“Hospitalisations are back to peak levels and cases are rising fast in over60s, so it’s just been impossible to argue for Mansfield to be treated differently now that those number have changed so much.
“I’m very conscious of those businesses and jobs that will be affected and will be making the case for as much help and support for the sectors who will need it most, such as pubs and beauty businesses, over the coming days and weeks.”
Nikki Rolls, CEO of Mansfield BID, said: “They have only been reopened for about 11 weeks so another closure will have an effect on their business and their long-time future.
“The BID continues to offer support to businesses, offering guidance and helping to communicate what they need to be doing, and supporting them at this time. We are also introducing a unique gift voucher scheme as a way of helping businesses and encouraging people to visit the town centre.”
Bassetlaw MP Brendan Clarke-smith said: “I fully appreciate the difficulties the restrictions will cause the industry and I am currently raising these with the authorities concerned.”
Sally Gillborn, chief executive at North Notts BID, said: “The new guidelines have been introduced to help protect the region so we must work together to adhere to these rules so that those businesses that have had to close can reopen as quickly as possible.”
A Nottinghamshire County Council statement reads: “All nine councils have now agreed that Nottingham and Nottinghamshire should move together into Tier Three restrictions for the city and the county following discussions between Government and council leaders.”