Free glass of champagne could cost hairdressers dear

HAIRDRESSERS and beauty salons have been warned by police that offering customers complimentary glasses of bubbly could cost them up to £20,000.

Staffordshire Police issued the warning to businesses amid concern some are offering free drinks of wine or champagne without a proper licence as part of treatment packages.

In some cases, customers are offered the drinks to add to their sense of “me time” while having their hair cut or a spa treatment.

While the force admitted that the offers are “well intentioned”, it insisted they were still illegal if the business does not have a licence.

Officers warned that firms could face a £20,000 fine if they are caught and owners could also face up to six months in prison.

Insp Paul Prenter, head of the force’s licensing department, said police wanted to continue to have a “positive relationship” with businesses. But he added: “Providing alcohol to customers without a licence is a breach of section 136 of the Licensing Act, and is a criminal offence.

“Please ensure your business is not giving alcohol to customers, otherwise our licensing officers will be in touch and it could result in a hefty fine for your business.

“Alternatively, if you do wish to continue the practise, please contact your local council.”

Martyn Brindley, Stoke-on-trent city council’s strategic manager for public protection, urged owners who were unsure of their business’s status to call an advice line. “It is very important that all businesses are aware of the laws regarding serving alcohol on their premises and that they abide by them,” he said.

The advice was met with some ridicule on social media.

One user wrote on Facebook: “At the end of the day more important things are or should have priority in these troubled times.”

Another said: “With everything going on in the UK right now … this is what you resort to concentrating on?”

Last year, a barber’s shop in Dorset was urged by a council to stop handing out free beers to customers. The owners of the Blind Barber in Poole had been giving away “stubby” beers.