MPs slammed as salon debate takes ugly turn
BEAUTICIANS have slammed MPs for appearing to laugh at the industry during an exchange in the commons following a question raised by Hazel Grove MP William Wragg.
At Prime Minister’s Questions, Boris Johnson joked about ‘one day’ going to a salon, Lush Beauty in Romiley with an MP, to a chorus of laughter from the back benches.
It came after the Hazel Grove MP asked him: “Neither of us is likely to be queueing for an appointment at a beauty salon. Mr Speaker, sadly, as much needed as it may be, sadly, neither will anybody else as many of these much-loved businesses remain closed. Will the Prime Minister review this decision so the likes of Lush Beauty in Romiley in my constituency can reopen safely, as soon as possible?”
Mr Johnson did not commit to an opening date, only saying the industry could reopen when they were sure it was ‘Covid-secure.’
It comes after venues including hair salons, pubs, cafes and cinemas were given the green light to open their doors on Saturday.
Mr Wragg later apologised on Twitter, saying he was ‘sorry’ that some had the impression his question ‘was anything other than well intentioned, honest and serious.’
Louise O’Shea of Fab Aesthetics Lounge in Bolton
said the continued closure of beauty salons is no laughing matter, as it it ‘crippling livelihoods.’
She said the exchange was ‘despicable.’
They ‘sounded extremely sexist by laughing at our industry and it has really upset quite a lot of people high up in the industry,’ she said.
She added: “It’s just really frustrating as a business owner, I have been in the industry for 16 or 17 years. To put all your hard work in, for them to bat it away like it’s nothing, it’s so upsetting.”
Louise’s concerns were echoed by another beautician, Selene Mitchell.
Selene has a beauty business House of Eden, which she runs from a pod at Pollard Yard in Ancoats.
She said opening the business was ‘a bit of a dream’ as she always wanted to open somewhere ‘a bit quirky.’
She opened in February and had to close in March.
The video of the MPs in the commons made her feel ‘a tad humiliated and a bit stupid really’ she said.
“We have been hung out to dry pretty much. I have lost nearly five months of business. I’ve seen my business going down the pan.
“I just feel like we have been left at the bottom of the pile. It’s having a mental health impact. I like working and not being able to work, you don’t know what to do with yourself. I have decorated my house top to bottom. Sometimes I felt like giving in and not going back.”
Both of the beauticians said they were committed to ensuring the highest standards of hygiene possible when they reopen.
Louise has even compiled a risk assessment pack which she is willing to share with other nail bars and salons.
She has written an open letter addressed to ‘all MPs in parliament,’ urging them to reconsider the closure.
“Don’t get me wrong, I totally understand why as a parliament you are reluctant to let close contact businesses resume during this pandemic... however, as a parliament I don’t think you understand just how much these closures have had an effect, not only on beauty businesses, but on their customers’ mental state too,” she wrote.
She outlined the dire financial state many beauty owners had found themselves in.
“Some businesses have put themselves into debt so that they can stay open. Keeping their businesses closed for another two, four or however many weeks longer is crippling their livelihoods that they have worked extremely hard for”, she wrote.
“The government has taken a ‘whatever it takes’ approach to the economy I’m asking you to extend the same thinking and reopen the beauty industry soon. I encourage you to hear the pleas from all beauty officials and salon owners. Please reconsider your decision to keep beauty salons closed or offer us an olive branch as to a date we can reopen our doors”, she added.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has been contacted for comment.